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More than six litres of household paint is sold for each and every person
in New Zealand. That's a lot of paint particularly as much of it is
left sitting in paint containers and ends up in landfills. There are
lots of ways you can reduce this burden on the environment... here's
some ideas to get you started:
Reduce:
Buy only the paint you need
The best way to save waste is to avoid buying too much. Carefully measure
up the area you plan to paint and use the coverage recommendations on
the side of paint cans to check how much you need or ask Resene ColorShop
staff for assistance. If you buy what you need and find you have paint
left at the end of the job, you have probably applied it too thinly
- in which case the best idea is to paint an extra coat to give the
surface full protection as a thin coat means that the paint finish will
not wear as well. Don't be tempted to buy an unnecessarily large pack
size just because it is on special - remember the best deal is the one
that gives you just the paint you need. Use the online
paint calculator to help you determine how much paint you need for
your next project.
Use:
Use up all your paint
If you have leftover paint, use it for touch-up jobs and smaller projects
or add another coat to your paint finish for extra protection. Waterborne
paints are also ideal for creating signs and banners and can be a much
cheaper and more durable option than expensive felt pens - this can
be a great way to use up any extra paint you may have.
Store:
Store paint so it lasts for years
Brushes or rollers can transfer contamination from the surface you are
painting back into the paint. The best way to work with paint is to
tip out a small volume into a separate paint pot and use this for painting.
Pour out only what you need for the job. This will leave the paint in
the main paint can fresh and untouched by your brush or roller.
Properly stored paint can last for years. Cover the top of the paint
can with plastic wrap, place the lid on securely and store upside down.
The paint will create a tight seal around the lid and will remain fresher
for when you next wish to use it. Store away from extreme heat or cold.
Keep out of reach of children.
 Recycle:
Recycle the empty
paint can
Once you've used up your paint, recycle the empty steel paint can -
simply allow the contents to dry out, then bring to a Resene PaintWise
Collection Centre with the lid off the can so staff can see it is dry
and empty. Each paint can you recycle
is one less can that ends up in a landfill. If there are no Resene PaintWise
Collection Centres in your area, contact your local council for recycling
options.
Most plastic paint containers are recyclable through kerbside recycling
but paint residues must be removed. This is best accomplished by scraping
the wet paint out. Check with your local council to ensure that kerbside
recycling in your area will accept clean plastic paint containers.
Re-Use:
Reuse packaging materials
Clean out paint cans
and pails and reuse them as paint pots or buckets. Use inside drains
(not the stormwater drains) or wash onto your lawn.
Donate:
Donate to charity
If you just can’t use your leftover paint, donate it to local community
groups, schools, art groups and so on. You’ll save them money and
get the best use out of your paint leftovers at the same time.
Don’t mix waterborne and solventborne paints. If mixed, paint
cannot be re-blended or re-used.
Make sure you donate the paint in its original container with the contents
clearly marked so the recipient knows what they are receiving and how
to handle it. Always check paint before you donate it to ensure it is
still in good condition. It’s best to donate paint as soon as you
discover you don’t need it, such as when you change your colour
scheme, rather than holding onto it just in case.
Handle with care:
Properly sealed solvents and thinners have an almost
unlimited shelf life. Keep and use.
Solventborne paints require special disposal
practices. They are also ignitable and present other hazards. These
products must never be poured down storm drains, the household sink
(especially if you have a septic tank) or on the ground. Solventborne
paint should be disposed of as a household hazardous waste. Hold for
a ‘Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day’. If your local
community does not undertake such programmes, contact your local Council
for disposal guidance.
Paint thinners, turpentine, mineral spirits and
solvents should never be poured down a drain or the storm sewer. With
the following simple steps, you can re-use these types of products.
Let used turpentine or brush cleaners sit in a closed container until
the paint particles settle out. Then pour off the clear liquid, which
can be re-used. Add an absorbent material, such as the PaintWise Disposal
Kit material or kitty litter, to the remaining residue until it becomes
dry. Finally, contact your local Council for guidance on disposal.
 Other
environment savers to try:
- Buy Resene Environmental Choice approved products. These meet specific
conditions endorsed by the Minister for the Environment. Look for
the Environmental Choice tick on Resene paint cans.
- Buy good quality paint. Lower quality paint while cheaper in the
short run is a false economy. It will break down quicker necessitating
a repaint earlier. The biggest cost of any painting job is the labour
- whether this is a painter you hire to do the job for you or your
investment of time. It is better to spend a little more on the paint
and get a longer life from it than to try to save a few dollars and
take years off the paint finish. Similarly, if you buy a lower quality
paint with an expected life of 4-5 years, this means over a 8 year
period you will probably have to paint twice. In contrast if you bought
a high quality paint with an expected life of 7-8 years you would
only need to paint once during this period. The burden on the environment
is considerably less with the higher quality paint.
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Wrap your brush in plastic wrap or place your roller in a plastic
bag, squeeze out the air and tie the bag securely around the handle
of the roller using a rubberband or tie top. This will keep the
paint fresh while you are taking a break and will save you having
to rinse out brushes and rollers repeatedly.
For more information check out these pages:
Online paint calculator
How to clean brushes and
rollers
Environmental Choice product range
View Reduce, Reuse and Recycle information
in brochure form. You will need Acrobat
Reader.
Get PaintWise with Resene and we'll all benefit from
a healthier environment.
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