Second life
For a number of years, Fletcher Building, Golden Bay Cement, Firth Industries, Resene and 3R have been working together to develop innovative solutions for turning waste paint once destined for landfills into a useful ingredient in cementitious applications. PaintCrete, a PaintWise solution, is expected to divert thousands of litres into cementitious applications in the coming years reinforcing the commitment of the collaborating companies to product stewardship, sustainable development and manufacturing. The first application is due to be available to selected areas in early 2008 and will incorporate a blockfill application where the paint improves the blockfill performance and usability.

Unwanted paint and paint packaging is collected by designated Resene ColorShops as part of the Resene PaintWise service. Much of the paint returned to the Resene PaintWise service is immediately diverted to community groups, solventborne paint is sent to solvent recovery, packaging is recycled and other waterborne paint is provided for covering graffiti and further research into alternative uses.

The Resene PaintWise service, which first started as a trial on the North Shore in 2004, is now operating nationwide with over 40 Resene ColorShops and resellers designated as PaintWise Collection Centres. For information on disposing of unwanted paint and paint packaging, see www.resene.co.nz/paintwise.htm.