Paint recycling: what you need to know

You’ve finished your DIY project and got the perfect look, but now you’re left with leftover paint – that’s where paint recycling comes in. You’ve got so many options for recycling paint, from getting crafty to donating to a good cause.

Whatever your plan, don’t just throw the paint away. Old paint cans and leftover paint are hazardous and shouldn’t go to landfill. Keep sustainability in mind. Currently, only two per cent of leftover paint is remanufactured or reused – with this guide, you’ll find tips to help increase that amount. First, let’s learn why it’s crucial to be cautious with paint.

What is paint made of?

Paint is made from a mixture of pigments, resins, solvents and additives. Each plays an important role:

• pigment gives the paint colour
• resins help paint dry
• solvents make application easier
• additives achieve other things, like fighting fungus or thickening.

Some of these ingredients can harm the environment if not recycled properly.

Can you recycle paint?

Yes, paint can be recycled at proper recycling points. In fact, recycling leftover paint is an excellent choice if you have no other use for it.

But, it’s essential not to send paint to landfill. It’s classed as hazardous waste, so would have to be separated out by local authorities – and it takes a lot of time and money. The best way to avoid having leftover paint is to know how much paint you need before starting and avoid buying too much.

Can you recycle paint cans?

Plastic paint cans can’t be recycled with mainstream plastics. However, you can take them to your local household waste recycling centre (HWRC), which will recycle them properly.

The average person has 17 old paint cans at home – enough to keep recycling plants busy for a while.

Can you recycle paint tins?

Paint tins can be recycled at your local household waste recycling centre . You should head to the recycling centre with your paint tins cleaned and ready for disposal.

Remember that any tins that you recycle should be empty of paint. In that case, you might need to reuse the leftover paint before recycling the tin.

5 great ideas to reuse leftover paint

So, how can you use up leftover paint? First, check how many coats of paint do you need – it sometimes helps to add one more, using up paint in the process. If not, try these ideas.

1. Community Repaint

Community Repaint is an organisation that takes leftover paint and redistributes it to people in need. In 2021, they reached 419,000 community groups with their initiative.

To donate to Community Repaint, find your local centre. They’ll take your leftover paint, prepare it, and pass it on to people and organisations throughout the UK. This way, you’ll be part of a sustainable circular economy, helping reuse products. Trust us: this feels pretty awesome.

2. Ask friends and family

Ask your friends, family and local community if they need some extra paint. They’ll often only need a bit for small jobs – perfect for reusing your leftover paint.

3. Try a small project

Do you have any small jobs that only need a little paint? While some of these require new specialist paint, many will be able to use leftovers. Try things like smaller rooms, feature walls, or touch up an older area.

4. Use it as a primer

Sometimes, you’ll be able to use leftover paints as a primer for a bigger job. You might be able to use just one colour, mix some together, or add some white. You may also need to thin the mixture first.

5. Upcycle small furniture

Get creative. Do you have any old pieces of furniture that could do with a refresh? Using leftover decorative paint to give furniture a new lease of life can be a fantastic hobby. Think of chairs, drawers and tables your old paint could transform.

How to recycle old paint

If you’ve decided that recycling paint is the way to go, then you need to follow a few steps.

1. Take your old paint and paint cans/tins to your local council HWRC – Find your nearest paint recycling centre. If you live in London, you can have your paint collected by the council.
2. Be careful to recycle materials properly. Things like solvent, varnishes and white spirit should be disposed of as hazardous waste, so check locally for the relevant service.

Once you’ve prepared paint for recycling, your tins and cans will also be recycled appropriately.

Waste not, want not

Recycling paint properly is great for the environment – but it’s not the only option for your leftovers. You can donate it to charities or the local community, or test your skills with an upcycling project. By reusing your paint and paint products, you’ll save money while helping the environment. Head to our blog for more decorating tips.