Got leftover paint? Get with the Resene PaintWise programme!

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.
• 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.