Leftover house paint? Take it to Paintback®

Paint contains chemicals such as solvents and metals. These can contaminate our groundwater and which isn't great for us humans and can cause serious problems for our environment and wildlife. Making sure that you recycle your leftover paint is a simple way to stop this from happening.

Here's what you can do instead:

Drop it at a Paintback collection point

A paint industry initiative called Paintback will take leftover paint and paint cans. It is a not-for-profit company that collects paint through participating sites in Western Australia.

1. They sort water-based and oil-based paints as well as separating the tins and tubs it comes in.

2. Tubs and tins are recycled and diverted from landfill.

3. Water-based paints are treated and reused in industrial processes as an alternative to fresh water.

4. Oil-based paints are used as an alternative energy source to power some of Australia's largest manufacturers.

What is Paintback®?

• Paintback was established in 2016, and is an industry-led initiative designed to divert unwanted paint and packaging from ending up in landfill and vital waterways.

• Paintback is driven by the Australian paint industry and the major companies that supply around 90% of all the architectural and decorative (A&D) paint sold in Australia. 

• Along with disposing of unwanted paint, Paintback is committed to researching new ways to repurpose unwanted paint materials and help develop a circular economy.

• DIY and trade painters cam take their unwanted paint and packaging to a Paintback location. Paintback accepts up to 100 litres per visit stowed in containers of up to 20 litres

• The unwanted paint and packaging is stored at the collection point ready for Paintback to pick it up.

• Paintback transports it from the collection point for treatment. The packaging and liquid are separated.

• The containers are recycled, subject to contamination. The solvent paint is used as an alternative energy source. Water is separated from acrylic paint, with the by-product used in a variety of industrial applications significantly reducing landfill.

Accepted:

• Deck coatings & floor paints

• Interior & exterior architectural paint

• Packaging

• Primers

• Sealers

• Stains & shellacs

• Undercoats

• Varnishes & urethanes (single components)

• Wood coatings

Not accepted

• Aerosol paints

• Anti-fouling coatings

• Automotive & industrial surface coating (shop application) paints & finishes

• Automotive paints

• Bagged renders

• Caulking compounds, epoxies, glues or adhesives

• Colorants & tints

• Demolition waste

• General waste – plastic, cardboard

• Household chemicals

• Industrial maintenance coatings

• Isocyanates

• Melamine, metal & rust preventative

• Metal coatings

• Paint additives

• Paint thinners, mineral spirits or solvents

• Painting equipment – brushes, rollers, trays, rags etc.

• Paint washings

• Resins

• Roof patch or repair

• Tar-based or bitumen-based products

• Texture coatings

• Traffic paints

• Two-component coatings

• All non-paint products

Ways to reduce your amount of leftover paint

1. Try not to buy more than you need (you'll also save money!). Estimate the amount of paint required by measuring the area to be painted and calculate the litres required to be used for the job. There are lots of paint calculators online for specific brands.

2. Save some to be used for touch ups.

3. Give the extra paint to family and friends if they need some.

4. Post any leftover paint on your local Buy Nothing Group

5. Use it around your home:

   • Paint a feature wall

   • Update some old furniture

   • Freshen up an outdated picture frame

   • Paint your plant pots

Visit Paintback Locations to find your nearest drop off point.
 

Source: www.paintback.com.au