Recycling fees
Paint and mattress recycling fees by state
Some states add a fee to new paint and new mattresses to pay for recycling the old ones. Here are the current amounts, and the dates they changed.
Last checked October 18, 2026
Short answer
Paint: the fee runs from $0.30 to $0.65 on a container under a gallon to $1.50 to $2.75 on a 2 to 5 gallon can, depending on the state. Mattresses: $18.00 in California, $19.50 in Connecticut, and $22.50 in Oregon and Rhode Island. You pay these when you buy new, and they pay for the drop-off programs.
PaintCare fee by state
PaintCare adds this fee to each container of new paint in the states that passed a paint stewardship law. PaintCare says the fee pays for collection, transport, recycling and outreach, and that there is no charge to drop paint off at a PaintCare site.
| State | Over half pint, under 1 gallon | 1 to 2 gallons | Over 2 up to 5 gallons | Date notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $0.30 | $0.65 | $1.50 | Rises May 1, 2027 to $0.45, $0.95 and $1.95 |
| Colorado | $0.50 | $1.15 | $2.25 | Increase took effect April 1, 2026 |
| Connecticut | $0.50 | $1.15 | $2.25 | Increase took effect January 1, 2026 |
| District of Columbia | $0.30 | $0.70 | $1.60 | |
| Illinois | $0.45 | $0.95 | $1.95 | |
| Maine | $0.50 | $1.10 | $2.00 | |
| Maryland | $0.50 | $1.15 | $2.25 | |
| Minnesota | $0.49 | $0.99 | $1.99 | |
| New York | $0.45 | $0.95 | $1.95 | |
| Oregon | $0.45 | $0.95 | $1.95 | |
| Rhode Island | $0.35 | $0.75 | $1.60 | |
| Vermont | $0.65 | $1.35 | $2.45 | |
| Washington | $0.65 | $1.45 | $2.75 | Increase took effect January 1, 2026 |
Sources: PaintCare: current fee structure for all programs. Last checked October 18, 2026. The fee can appear as a line item on your receipt or be built into the shelf price, depending on state pricing law.
Mattress recycling fee by state
Four states charge a per-unit fee on each mattress and foundation sold. The money funds mattress drop-off and recycling in that state.
| State | Fee per unit | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $18.00 | Up from $16.00 on April 1, 2026. Applies per mattress, futon or foundation, and is not subject to sales tax. | Mattress Recycling Council |
| Connecticut | $19.50 | Up from $16.00 on October 1, 2026. Flat rate for every size of mattress and foundation. | Mattress Recycling Council |
| Oregon | $22.50 | Called an assessment. Collected on retail sales, in store and online. | Oregon DEQ |
| Rhode Island | $22.50 | Up from $20.50 on January 1, 2026. Applies to mattresses and foundations. | Mattress Recycling Council |
Last checked October 18, 2026. Sources are linked in the table.
Where to take old paint and mattresses
Our paint recycling guide covers latex and oil-based paint, and the mattress and bedding guide covers drop-off options and what to prepare. You can also search for a center near you. Connecticut also has a bottle deposit system, covered in our bottle deposit states guide.
Questions about these fees
Is the PaintCare fee a tax or a deposit?
Neither. PaintCare says the fee is not a tax and does not go to the state, and it is not a deposit, so you do not get it back when you drop off paint. It is added to the price of each new container of paint.
Does it cost anything to drop off paint?
PaintCare says there is no charge for dropping off paint at a PaintCare drop-off site.
Which states charge a mattress recycling fee?
The Mattress Recycling Council runs programs in California, Connecticut, Oregon and Rhode Island. The fee is $18.00 in California, $19.50 in Connecticut and $22.50 in Oregon and Rhode Island.
Why did the Connecticut mattress fee go up?
The Mattress Recycling Council says the increase to $19.50 on October 1, 2026 is largely driven by rising minimum wages and operating costs for collecting, transporting and taking mattresses apart.
Will the California paint fee change?
Yes. PaintCare says CalRecycle approved an increase that takes effect May 1, 2027. The fee for a container from just over half a pint up to under a gallon goes from $0.30 to $0.45, for 1 to 2 gallons from $0.65 to $0.95, and for over 2 up to 5 gallons from $1.50 to $1.95.
Sources
- PaintCare: PaintCare fee
- Mattress Recycling Council: 2026 California mattress recycling fee adjustment
- Mattress Recycling Council: new recycling fee set for Connecticut
- Mattress Recycling Council: 2026 Rhode Island recycling fee adjustment
- Oregon DEQ: mattress stewardship program
Last checked October 18, 2026. Fees change on set dates, so confirm the current amount at the link before you rely on it.