B&Q and Dulux are among the companies supporting a new paint recycling scheme coordinated by the British Coatings Federation (BCF).
Dubbed PaintCare UK, the initiative aims to help consumers and tradespeople return leftover decorative paint and empty packaging to unlock reuse and recycling at scale for what is are difficult-to-recycle materials.
PaintCare UK is a voluntary, industry-funded take-back scheme run by BCF on behalf of UK paint manufacturers. The initial pilot is taking place in the West Midlands Combined Authority area, with the goal of more widespread roll-out un 2027 if it is successful.
Dulux, Johnstone’s Paint, Crown Paints, Craig & Rose, Valspar and Little Greene are involved in the programme, working in collaboration with retail partners including B&Q, Brewers Decorator Centres, Dulux Decorator Centres and Johnstone’s Decorating Centres.
The regional pilot will run for approximately three months and it is designed to assess consumer participation, as well as what type of in-store collection model works well, and the logistics and treatment solutions required to make it a success. An initial £500,000 has been invested in the trial.
Waste management business Biffa is managing what the PaintCare team calls a “safe collection, transport and treatment” of returned paint and packaging.
Consumers looking to use the paint recycling services will be able to locate PaintCare return areas signposted in participating stores. The paint and empty packaging must be handed directly to a member of staff, not just left – and all the details of accepted paint types and conditions are available on the PaintCare website, as well as communicated in stores.
Independent modelling undertaken by sustainability consultancy Resource Futures indicates that, when fully operational, PaintCare has the potential to deliver significant environmental and social benefits. It is estimated the scheme can cut in half carbon emissions associated with leftover paint take-back and treatment compared to current disposal routes.
It is early days for these calculations, though, and further details on the methodology and assumptions will be shared as the programme is developed and tested.
A long-term ambition of the industry is to reuse or recycle 75% of leftover paint by 2032, compared with what the BCF estimates to be circa 2% today.
Commenting on the launch, Tom Bowtell, CEO of the BCF, said: “For too long, it has been too difficult for people to do the right thing with leftover paint.
“This trial marks a major step forward – not just for our industry, but for consumers and tradespeople who want simple, practical ways to reduce waste. What makes PaintCare particularly powerful is the level of collaboration across brands and retailers.”
He added: “By working together, we can test solutions at a scale that would not be possible individually and use real evidence from this trial to help shape a system that works nationally.”
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