Where do I recycle paint? A guide for your summer clean-up

By Emma Lucey 8 January 2025

As the warmer months roll in, Aussies find time to work on home improvement projects, like fixing up the garden shed or refreshing furniture with a new coat of paint. But what do you do with empty paint cans or leftover paint when you’re done? We’ve put together a guide for your clean-up so you can reduce waste and enjoy the rest of your summer.

Environmental Impact 

Paint should never be put in your household recycling or rubbish bins. Improper disposal of paint can be harmful to the environment, so it’s important to ask, ‘Where can I dispose of paint near me?’    If paint and paint packaging is disposed of in your regular rubbish bin, it ends up in landfill along with any harmful chemicals that may be present. This can lead to paint getting into our vital waterways. The same goes for if it’s poured down the drain. Paint contaminating water and soil can affect plants, wildlife, and even human health if chemicals enter the food chain.      

Tips to reducing paint waste 

  The good news is there are simple steps you can take to reduce paint waste and keep your clean-up from having a negative impact on the environment. 

  1. Buy only what you need 

Before buying paint, measure your project area to calculate a good estimate of the amount of paint you’ll need. Many paint brands or hardware stores offer online calculators to help with this, reducing the chances of over-purchasing. If you’re unsure about the colour or amount, it’s best to buy smaller quantities or sample pots first. 

2. Proper storage 

If you’re taking a break from painting or closing up paint tins for another time, ensure that cans are tightly sealed to prevent air from drying out the paint. Store them upright and in a cool dry place, as direct sunlight and freezing conditions can affect the quality of your paint. If you have leftover paint from a project, consider storing them in smaller airtight containers with the date and colour labeled for easy reference. 

3. Reusing leftover paint 

Leftover paint can be great for touch-ups or smaller projects like upcycling furniture. We’ve listed a few ideas in an earlier article for some DIY inspiration!    

Where to drop-off paint and paint packaging for recycling 

When it’s time to clean up and you’re unable to reuse any leftover paint, proper paint disposal is crucial.  

In Australia, the Paintback scheme is a great option for recycling leftover paint and empty paint containers. Since its launch in 2016, Paintback has collected and safely recycled more than 60 million kilograms of paint. With over 165 collection sites across the country, it’s easy to find a nearby drop-off location. Search for one near you on our paint page. 

What Paintback does:  

• Paintback accepts both liquid paint and empty paint packaging up to 100L for recycling, including dried up or hardened paint in its original packaging. Deck and floor paints, interior and exterior paints, primers, sealers, stains and shellacs, undercoats, varnishes and urethanes and wood coatings are all accepted 

• Paintback is committed to researching new ways to repurpose unwanted paint materials. They recycle paint into products like non-toxic paint for road markings or concealer paint for graffiti, and the materials from paint cans are reused in the production of new products 

• The program ensures that hazardous chemicals are properly handled, reducing pollution and landfill waste. 

As you tackle your summer jobs, taking responsible steps to reduce paint waste and recycling leftover materials is crucial. Whether you’re storing extra paint for future reuse, or dropping off old paint with Paintback, every effort counts.  

 Find a paint drop-off location near you: recyclingnearyou.com.au/paint