Author: sHq_LoGiNz

SINGAPORE, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ENNOVI today announced the release of its Sustainability Report 2024, which highlights a year of strong external recognition for its sustainability performance, transparency and governance; reinforcing the company’s commitment to responsible operations, transparency and long-term value creation. ENNOVI achieved several milestones, including an EcoVadis Platinum rating for the fifth consecutive year, CDP Climate Change and Water Security scores of B, a CDP Supplier Engagement score of B-, and Gold recognition as Asia’s Best Sustainability Report (Private Company) at the 10^th Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards.

“ENNOVI’s continued focus on operating responsibly, strengthening transparency and delivering measurable progress across our global operations is a cornerstone of ENNOVI culture,” said Stefan Rustler, CEO of ENNOVI. “From climate and energy management to safety, human rights and supplier standards, we are embedding sustainability into how we run our business and support our customers. While our sustainability report is an important marker of this work, it’s the dedication of our teams to this goal that we have achieved these honors.”

“This year’s report reflects a significant step forward in the depth and consistency of our sustainability disclosures,” said Nantha Kumar Chandran, Chief Sustainability Officer, ENNOVI. “With our fourth task force on climate-related financial disclosures (TCFD) report, inaugural human rights report, and third-party verified scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions data, we are strengthening the systems, data quality and governance needed to manage sustainability performance across our global operations.”

The report has been prepared with reference to internationally recognised frameworks and principles, including:

• GRI Standards
• SASB Standards
• TCFD Recommendations
• GHG Protocol
• UN Global Compact (UNGC) Ten Principles
• UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Key performance highlights include the fact that 40% of its global workforce are women, a reflection of its ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, while 100% of key suppliers now have sustainability clauses embedded in their contracts, strengthening responsible sourcing across its value chain. The report also features case studies showcasing emissions-reduction initiatives across ENNOVI’s manufacturing operations, demonstrating practical actions through energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption and process optimisation.

The ENNOVI Sustainability Report 2024 is available for download at: https://ennovi.com/sustainability/

About ENNOVI
At ENNOVI, we design and manufacture products and solutions for electrical battery platform developments, power components, and signal interconnect design solutions. Using our decades of experience in electro-mechanical engineering and high-precision manufacturing, we work with OEMs and suppliers to bring their ideas to life. As an interconnect solutions partner, we accelerate the process for our customers by offering complete end-to-end manufacturing capabilities from R&D, design, and tooling to production. Learn more at www.ennovi.com.

Agency Contact:
Pretzl
Erin McMahon
erin.mcmahon@publitek.com 

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SOURCE ENNOVI

Average value of a lost tooth increased 17% over last year

CHICAGO, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Losing a tooth is paying off this year.

New findings from the Delta Dental 2026 Original Tooth Fairy Poll^® revealed the average value of a single lost tooth during the past year increased by 17% from $5.01 to $5.84. This marks the first year-over-year increase in Tooth Fairy giving since 2023, ending a two-year decline.

The loss of a first tooth is also being rewarded more generously—worth 23% more than the average lost tooth. On average, a first tooth is now valued at $7.17, up from $6.24 in 2025. More than 1 in 3 parents (38%) say the Tooth Fairy leaves extra for their child’s first tooth compared with future teeth.

More kids are waking up to gifts beyond cash, as non-monetary presents from the Tooth Fairy are on the rise. Nearly 1 in 3 children (32%) received a physical gift this year, up from 19% in 2025.

“After a couple of thrifty years, the Tooth Fairy decided it was time to give kids a well-deserved raise,” said Gabriella Ferroni, Senior Director, Strategic Communications, Delta Dental Plans Association. “For the past 28 years, Delta Dental has tracked Tooth Fairy giving trends to help teach children about caring for their oral health through a trusted partner—the Tooth Fairy. The beloved tradition gives kids a reason to celebrate their healthy smiles.”

Since the poll’s inception in 1998, the average cash gift left by the Tooth Fairy has surged 349% from $1.30 to $5.84 per tooth.

U.S. regional ranking for the average value of a lost tooth

1. Northeast ($6.45): Led the pack with a 41% year-over-year jump.
2. West ($5.99): Held steady in second place with a 5% increase from last year.
3. South ($5.89): Dropped from the top spot in 2025, despite a 3% increase in giving.
4. Midwest ($5.27): Made a big leap with a 52% year-over-year gain, narrowing the gap with the rest of the country.

The value of a lost tooth and the economy 
Historically, the Original Tooth Fairy Poll^® has typically mirrored the economy’s overall direction, tracking with the trends of Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (S&P 500). In recent years, however, the value of a lost tooth diverged from this pattern. For the first time since 2022, the poll has realigned with market trends. Over the past year, the average value of a single lost tooth increased 17%, in line with a similar 16% increase in the S&P 500 during the same period.

About the poll
The Original Tooth Fairy Poll^® was conducted between Jan. 5, 2026 and Jan. 15, 2026, among 1,000 parents of children ages 6 to 12. The margin of error is +/- 3%.

The January 2025 S&P 500 average was 5,960 and increased to an average of 6,941 for January 2026, consistent with the timing of the Original Tooth Fairy Poll^®.

For more information about the Delta Dental-sponsored survey and oral health tips for infants to pre-teen, visit the Original Tooth Fairy Poll^®.

About Delta Dental Plans Association
Based in Chicago, Illinois, Delta Dental Plans Association is the not-for-profit national association of the 39 independent Delta Dental companies. Through these companies, Delta Dental is the nation’s largest dental benefits provider and offers the country’s largest dental network with approximately 151,000 participating dentists. Over the last 15 years, Delta Dental companies and their foundations invested over $2.3 billion to improve the oral and overall health of our communities.

Visit deltadental.com for information on individual dental insurance plans and group dental insurance plans.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-tooth-fairy-gives-kids-a-raise-302696420.html

SOURCE Delta Dental Plans Association

Average value of a lost tooth increased 17% over last year

CHICAGO, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Losing a tooth is paying off this year.

New findings from the Delta Dental 2026 Original Tooth Fairy Poll^® revealed the average value of a single lost tooth during the past year increased by 17% from $5.01 to $5.84. This marks the first year-over-year increase in Tooth Fairy giving since 2023, ending a two-year decline.

The loss of a first tooth is also being rewarded more generously—worth 23% more than the average lost tooth. On average, a first tooth is now valued at $7.17, up from $6.24 in 2025. More than 1 in 3 parents (38%) say the Tooth Fairy leaves extra for their child’s first tooth compared with future teeth.

More kids are waking up to gifts beyond cash, as non-monetary presents from the Tooth Fairy are on the rise. Nearly 1 in 3 children (32%) received a physical gift this year, up from 19% in 2025.

“After a couple of thrifty years, the Tooth Fairy decided it was time to give kids a well-deserved raise,” said Gabriella Ferroni, Senior Director, Strategic Communications, Delta Dental Plans Association. “For the past 28 years, Delta Dental has tracked Tooth Fairy giving trends to help teach children about caring for their oral health through a trusted partner—the Tooth Fairy. The beloved tradition gives kids a reason to celebrate their healthy smiles.”

Since the poll’s inception in 1998, the average cash gift left by the Tooth Fairy has surged 349% from $1.30 to $5.84 per tooth.

U.S. regional ranking for the average value of a lost tooth

1. Northeast ($6.45): Led the pack with a 41% year-over-year jump.
2. West ($5.99): Held steady in second place with a 5% increase from last year.
3. South ($5.89): Dropped from the top spot in 2025, despite a 3% increase in giving.
4. Midwest ($5.27): Made a big leap with a 52% year-over-year gain, narrowing the gap with the rest of the country.

The value of a lost tooth and the economy 
Historically, the Original Tooth Fairy Poll^® has typically mirrored the economy’s overall direction, tracking with the trends of Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (S&P 500). In recent years, however, the value of a lost tooth diverged from this pattern. For the first time since 2022, the poll has realigned with market trends. Over the past year, the average value of a single lost tooth increased 17%, in line with a similar 16% increase in the S&P 500 during the same period.

About the poll
The Original Tooth Fairy Poll^® was conducted between Jan. 5, 2026 and Jan. 15, 2026, among 1,000 parents of children ages 6 to 12. The margin of error is +/- 3%.

The January 2025 S&P 500 average was 5,960 and increased to an average of 6,941 for January 2026, consistent with the timing of the Original Tooth Fairy Poll^®.

For more information about the Delta Dental-sponsored survey and oral health tips for infants to pre-teen, visit the Original Tooth Fairy Poll^®.

About Delta Dental Plans Association
Based in Chicago, Illinois, Delta Dental Plans Association is the not-for-profit national association of the 39 independent Delta Dental companies. Through these companies, Delta Dental is the nation’s largest dental benefits provider and offers the country’s largest dental network with approximately 151,000 participating dentists. Over the last 15 years, Delta Dental companies and their foundations invested over $2.3 billion to improve the oral and overall health of our communities.

Visit deltadental.com for information on individual dental insurance plans and group dental insurance plans.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-tooth-fairy-gives-kids-a-raise-302696420.html

SOURCE Delta Dental Plans Association

SHENZHEN, China, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SINEXCEL (300693.SZ) is proud to announce its recognition as a Tier 1 Power Inverter Manufacturer by BloombergNEF (BNEF) for Q1 2026, underscoring its consistent delivery of reliable inverter solutions and the deep trust it has earned from international customers and financial institutions through proven project execution.

The BloombergNEF’s Tier 1 list is widely regarded as a key benchmark for assessing competitiveness in the global renewable energy market. By prioritizing “Global Bankability”—specifically the ability to secure non-recourse financing and the strength of independent branding—BNEF ensures a high standard of credibility for developers, manufacturers, and investors.

Technological Innovation: From C&I to Utility-Scale

SINEXCEL continuously drives product innovation and engineering breakthroughs to meet complex grid and market demands.

For C&I and microgrid applications, the Sirius 135K is purpose-built to navigate challenging interconnection requirements, harsh operating environments, and ROI pressures — delivering global compatibility, strong scenario adaptability, and long-term lifecycle value.

At the utility scale, the flagship StellaOn 1250K/1575K PCS is engineered to optimize project economics, safety compliance, and grid integration complexity. With a focus on lifecycle efficiency and adaptability across diverse environmental, load, and grid conditions, it enables stable, high-performance operation in demanding large-scale deployments.

These advanced solutions lay a solid foundation for energy storage systems to effectively participate in multi-scenario applications and complex power trading markets worldwide.

Global Expansion and Proven Delivery

SINEXCEL’s storage solutions are certified in over 40 countries and deployed across more than 60 markets and 5,000 projects, with 17GW of installed capacity worldwide. The company operates 10 global service centers across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, supported by a 30-minute rapid response and seven-day parts delivery commitment.

Successful deployments in the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Romania further validate the company’s global execution capability and product reliability, providing strong support for its Tier 1 recognition.

Moving forward, SINEXCEL will continue to leverage its innovative power electronics to deliver highly bankable solutions, working alongside global partners to accelerate the zero-carbon energy transition.

About SINEXCEL

Founded in 2007, SINEXCEL is a pioneer in energy storage, EV charging, and power quality solutions. With 17 GW of installed storage, 140,000 EV chargers, and nearly 20 million amperes of AHF deployed, SINEXCEL partners with industry leaders to empower energy freedom.

Contact: melody_yu@sinexcel.com

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SOURCE SINEXCEL

SHENZHEN, China, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SINEXCEL (300693.SZ) is proud to announce its recognition as a Tier 1 Power Inverter Manufacturer by BloombergNEF (BNEF) for Q1 2026, underscoring its consistent delivery of reliable inverter solutions and the deep trust it has earned from international customers and financial institutions through proven project execution.

The BloombergNEF’s Tier 1 list is widely regarded as a key benchmark for assessing competitiveness in the global renewable energy market. By prioritizing “Global Bankability”—specifically the ability to secure non-recourse financing and the strength of independent branding—BNEF ensures a high standard of credibility for developers, manufacturers, and investors.

Technological Innovation: From C&I to Utility-Scale

SINEXCEL continuously drives product innovation and engineering breakthroughs to meet complex grid and market demands.

For C&I and microgrid applications, the Sirius 135K is purpose-built to navigate challenging interconnection requirements, harsh operating environments, and ROI pressures — delivering global compatibility, strong scenario adaptability, and long-term lifecycle value.

At the utility scale, the flagship StellaOn 1250K/1575K PCS is engineered to optimize project economics, safety compliance, and grid integration complexity. With a focus on lifecycle efficiency and adaptability across diverse environmental, load, and grid conditions, it enables stable, high-performance operation in demanding large-scale deployments.

These advanced solutions lay a solid foundation for energy storage systems to effectively participate in multi-scenario applications and complex power trading markets worldwide.

Global Expansion and Proven Delivery

SINEXCEL’s storage solutions are certified in over 40 countries and deployed across more than 60 markets and 5,000 projects, with 17GW of installed capacity worldwide. The company operates 10 global service centers across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, supported by a 30-minute rapid response and seven-day parts delivery commitment.

Successful deployments in the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Romania further validate the company’s global execution capability and product reliability, providing strong support for its Tier 1 recognition.

Moving forward, SINEXCEL will continue to leverage its innovative power electronics to deliver highly bankable solutions, working alongside global partners to accelerate the zero-carbon energy transition.

About SINEXCEL

Founded in 2007, SINEXCEL is a pioneer in energy storage, EV charging, and power quality solutions. With 17 GW of installed storage, 140,000 EV chargers, and nearly 20 million amperes of AHF deployed, SINEXCEL partners with industry leaders to empower energy freedom.

Contact: melody_yu@sinexcel.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sinexcel-recognized-as-bloombergnef-tier-1-power-inverter-manufacturer-for-q1-2026-302696830.html

SOURCE SINEXCEL

SHENZHEN, China, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SINEXCEL (300693.SZ) is proud to announce its recognition as a Tier 1 Power Inverter Manufacturer by BloombergNEF (BNEF) for Q1 2026, underscoring its consistent delivery of reliable inverter solutions and the deep trust it has earned from international customers and financial institutions through proven project execution.

The BloombergNEF’s Tier 1 list is widely regarded as a key benchmark for assessing competitiveness in the global renewable energy market. By prioritizing “Global Bankability”—specifically the ability to secure non-recourse financing and the strength of independent branding—BNEF ensures a high standard of credibility for developers, manufacturers, and investors.

Technological Innovation: From C&I to Utility-Scale

SINEXCEL continuously drives product innovation and engineering breakthroughs to meet complex grid and market demands.

For C&I and microgrid applications, the Sirius 135K is purpose-built to navigate challenging interconnection requirements, harsh operating environments, and ROI pressures — delivering global compatibility, strong scenario adaptability, and long-term lifecycle value.

At the utility scale, the flagship StellaOn 1250K/1575K PCS is engineered to optimize project economics, safety compliance, and grid integration complexity. With a focus on lifecycle efficiency and adaptability across diverse environmental, load, and grid conditions, it enables stable, high-performance operation in demanding large-scale deployments.

These advanced solutions lay a solid foundation for energy storage systems to effectively participate in multi-scenario applications and complex power trading markets worldwide.

Global Expansion and Proven Delivery

SINEXCEL’s storage solutions are certified in over 40 countries and deployed across more than 60 markets and 5,000 projects, with 17GW of installed capacity worldwide. The company operates 10 global service centers across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, supported by a 30-minute rapid response and seven-day parts delivery commitment.

Successful deployments in the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Romania further validate the company’s global execution capability and product reliability, providing strong support for its Tier 1 recognition.

Moving forward, SINEXCEL will continue to leverage its innovative power electronics to deliver highly bankable solutions, working alongside global partners to accelerate the zero-carbon energy transition.

About SINEXCEL

Founded in 2007, SINEXCEL is a pioneer in energy storage, EV charging, and power quality solutions. With 17 GW of installed storage, 140,000 EV chargers, and nearly 20 million amperes of AHF deployed, SINEXCEL partners with industry leaders to empower energy freedom.

Contact: melody_yu@sinexcel.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sinexcel-recognized-as-bloombergnef-tier-1-power-inverter-manufacturer-for-q1-2026-302696830.html

SOURCE SINEXCEL

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — February 25, 2026 marks one year since KJ, an infant born with severe carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) deficiency, became the world’s first person to receive a personalized CRISPR-based gene editing therapy. The therapy was developed by physician-scientists at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Penn Medicine, and in May 2025, CHOP shared that the treatment – created specifically for KJ’s rare disease – was administered safely. Since that time, KJ has achieved meaningful clinical improvements, such as walking and talking, as he continues to grow and thrive.

“It’s amazing to see KJ hit these milestones,” said Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, MD, PhD, director of CHOP’s Gene Therapy for Inherited Metabolic Disorders Frontier Program, which focuses on inborn errors of metabolism. “While this treatment isn’t a cure, after three infusions from February through April 2025, KJ has tolerated it well with no serious side effects. He’s able to handle more dietary protein, requires less nitrogen-scavenging medication, and we’re seeing better control of ammonia levels during colds and similar childhood illnesses. He will continue to be monitored closely to track long-term outcomes.”

A milestone born of decades of research and teamwork, CHOP has long integrated specialty clinical care with research to meet children’s most urgent needs. KJ’s personalized gene therapy, a base editor delivered via lipid nanoparticles to correct his CPS1 variant in the liver, evolved from years of preclinical work, collaboration between CHOP and Penn, and the NIH-funded Somatic Cell Genome Editing Consortium. Currently, CHOP supports more than 80 faculty advancing cell and gene therapy across more than 20 programs and 45 active pediatric clinical trials.

“We’re just beginning to unlock gene editing’s potential in pediatrics and beyond,” said Kiran Musunuru, MD, PhD, MPH, ML, MRA, Co-Director of the Orphan Disease Center (ODC), a partnership between CHOP and Penn Medicine, who also co-led KJ’s team with Dr. Ahrens-Nicklas. “We aim to responsibly develop and scale these approaches, so more children can lead healthy lives, and to invest in hands-on training so best practices reach all communities. We’re also working on designing umbrella clinical trials that move us beyond one-patient treatments, accelerating access to scalable, adaptable therapies.”

Earlier this month, the Muldoon’s traveled with KJ to Washington, DC, alongside Ahrens-Nicklas and Musunuru, to share KJ’s story with lawmakers. CHOP hosted educational briefing events in collaboration with the Rare Disease Congressional Caucus and the Personalized Medicine Caucus, highlighting the need for sustained federal funding for pediatric research and policies that expand access to personalized gene therapies.

“As KJ’s parents, we want to put a human face on rare diseases,” said Kyle Muldoon.

“Watching KJ grow and thrive is nothing short of a miracle – we want every child and family facing a rare condition to have that same chance,” added Nicole Muldoon. “Lawmakers can make that possible by investing in research, expanding access to care, and ensuring innovative therapies reach patients now.”

Looking ahead, CHOP researchers are pursuing causes and treatments for hard-to-treat metabolic disorders through CHOP’s Gene Therapy for Inherited Metabolic Disorders (GTIMD) Program. They are studying conditions such as urea cycle disorders, organic acidemias, fatty acid oxidation defects, and phenylketonuria. KJ’s case is also spurring discussions about new approval models for personalized therapies, and a New England Journal of Medicine editorial highlighted the lessons it offers the rare-disease community.

On Monday, February 23, Drs. Ahrens-Nicklas and Musunuru joined the FDA in announcing a new “plausible mechanism” framework for individualized therapies to speed approvals for rare diseases where large, randomized trials aren’t possible. Under the pathway, all variant-specific versions of a gene editor would be treated as one drug, simplifying review. For example, a single trial could enroll people with any of seven urea cycle disorders (from seven different genes) that the same editor can fix, and positive results in as few as 5-10 patients, rather than hundreds, could be enough for FDA approval of the overall platform.

“We’re committed to ensuring access for all children, and that means working together to develop a clear roadmap,” said Ahrens-Nicklas. “Through full transparency in our science and regulatory interactions, we aim to empower more teams to develop safe, effective therapies and extend these advances across other pediatric rare diseases.”

About Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia:
A non-profit, charitable organization, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation’s first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals, and pioneering major research initiatives, the hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country. The institution has a well-established history of providing advanced pediatric care close to home through its CHOP Care Network, which includes more than 50 primary care practices, specialty care and surgical centers, urgent care centers, and community hospital alliances throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. CHOP also operates the Middleman Family Pavilion and its dedicated pediatric emergency department in King of Prussia, the Behavioral Health and Crisis Center (including a 24/7 Crisis Response Center) and the Center for Advanced Behavioral Healthcare, a mental health outpatient facility. Its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit https://www.chop.edu. 

Contact: Ashley Moore
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
(267) 426-6067
moorea1@chop.edu

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SOURCE Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

State and industry leaders gather to reflect on early results, highlighting long-term benefits of Illinois’ newest recycling program

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, elected officials and paint industry leaders gathered at the Illinois State Capitol for a press conference highlighting the early progress of the new statewide architectural paint recycling program. Operated by PaintCare, a nonprofit organization created by the American Coatings Association (ACA), the program helps households and businesses recycle leftover paint, stain, and varnish in a convenient and responsible way. Just two months after its December 1, 2025 launch, the program is already seeing strong participation across the state with a growing network of more than 340 drop-off site community partners.

PaintCare’s paint recycling program was made possible under the paint stewardship law that was passed with bipartisan support by the Illinois General Assembly and signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker in 2023. This morning’s press conference featured remarks from notable supporters of the legislation including Illinois State Senator Linda Holmes, who served as the bill’s Chief Senate Sponsor. Illinois EPA Director James Jennings, American Coatings Association President and CEO, Michael W. Johnson and PaintCare IL Program Manager, Ross Dudzik, also offered insights into the program’s successes to date, including the collection of an estimated 60,000 gallons of leftover paint during the first two months of the program.

Attendees of the conference included key advocates for the program including Walter Willis, Executive Director of the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, and Heather Presutti, VP of Operations for paint recycler GDB Paint & Coatings, among others. Scott Cassel of the Product Stewardship Institute was not able to attend, but a statement provided by Cassel was read by Walter Willis.

Illinois State Senator Linda Holmes said, “This program is a tremendous win for Illinois families, businesses and our environment. For years, residents have been asking for a simpler, more responsible way to dispose of old paint, and I’m proud to have sponsored legislation that directly responds to that need. This program will provide more collection sites than in the past; I believe more convenient access, as additional drop-off sites join the system, will be an incentive to families and business owners to safely dispose of leftover paint and free up space in their homes and businesses.”

Illinois State Representative Natalie Manley said, “Today’s event reflects how impactful policy can be when it’s designed to work in the real world. Looking at the incredible collection numbers and partnerships to date, it’s clear that the paint stewardship legislation is already making a strong impact here in our state.”

PaintCare estimates its new Illinois program will manage nearly one million gallons of leftover paint in its first year with the help of its local drop-off site partners and communitywide events. The program has already signed on 345 partners, with more onboarding planned according to Michael W. Johnson, President and CEO of the American Coatings Association. The drop-off sites primarily consist of paint and hardware retail stores, but also facilities owned by local government and nonprofit organizations. These entities participate voluntarily collecting leftover paint during regular business hours to provide households and businesses a convenient, year-round recycling option.

“The remarkable turnout and enthusiastic support from local leaders today confirmed what we already knew—Illinois was more than ready for this program,” said Johnson. “The collection numbers speak for themselves and serve as a strong indicator that the program is working, scaling effectively and meeting a significant need in communities statewide. The success is the direct result of focused leadership and unprecedented collaboration across policy, environmental advocacy, retailers and local communities. Today marks a major milestone and a strong foundation for what comes next.”

From early on, the paint stewardship legislation was supported by a broad coalition of municipal and environmental organizations, including the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA); the Illinois Product Stewardship Council (ILPSC); and the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI).

James Jennings, Director of the Illinois EPA said, “Seeing measurable participation so soon after launch shows that Illinois households and businesses are responding to expanded recycling options. Programs like this play an important role in supporting responsible materials management and strengthening recycling infrastructure across the state.”

Scott Cassel, Chief Executive Officer of PSI said, “Illinois is already demonstrating the strength of a paint stewardship program built on a proven model. This early retailer participation is accelerating access for households and businesses across the state. That kind of scalable network is what sustains these programs over time and supports more effective paint management at the community level.”

PaintCare’s Illinois program follows similar paint stewardship laws and programs in California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Maine, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. A program is also currently being developed for Maryland. PaintCare manages collected paint according to a policy of “highest, best use,” which emphasizes making good quality material available for immediate reuse, recycling it, or putting it to another beneficial use if it can’t be reused or recycled. There is no cost to households and businesses when dropping off leftover paint for recycling. A small fee—called the PaintCare fee—is placed on the sale of new paint and funds all aspects of the program including paint collection, transportation, processing and public education. 

Illinois drop-off locations are easy to find by visiting PaintCare’s online site locator at paintcare.org, or by calling PaintCare’s hotline number at (855) PAINT09. According to Ross Dudzik, PaintCare’s IL Program Manager, “Getting new partners up and running smoothly has been a major focus of the early rollout. PaintCare’s field representatives are working directly with retailers across the state—supporting everything from onboarding to regular collection pickups—to make participation straightforward and simple from day one. That hands-on partnership allows the program to expand quickly while ensuring each new site is set up for success.”

PaintCare sites accept both latex and oil-based architectural paint products, including interior and exterior paints, primers, stains, sealers, and varnishes. Products must be in original, non-leaking containers with the original manufacturer’s label visible. Businesses, organizations, and households with 100 gallons of paint or more to recycle may request a free pickup at their location. Some restrictions apply. More information can be found on PaintCare’s website at paintcare.org/pickup.

To learn more about PaintCare’s program in Illinois, visit: paintcare.org/IL.

About PaintCare
PaintCare is committed to making it easy and convenient for households, businesses, and institutions to recycle postconsumer (leftover) paint in states with paint stewardship laws. A nonprofit organization created by paint companies, PaintCare sets up drop-off locations for leftover paint, arranges for recycling and proper disposal, and conducts public education. Approximately 85 million gallons of paint, stain, and varnish have been managed by PaintCare in 11 states and the District of Columbia.

Media Contacts:
Abby Sklencar, PaintCare: 202-940-8214
Mike Martin, The Martin Group: 518-269-4503| X724

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SOURCE PaintCare