Disposal of Paint in Australia –
How to Do it Responsibly
This post was last updated in 2023
Hello there my eco-conscious warriors 😊
Today I’m diving into the vibrant world of paint disposal – a topic often brushed aside (yep, see what I did there??) but crucial for protecting our environment.
When it comes to paint disposal in Australia, you can take your paints to a Paintback collection point. They will ensure the product – both the paint and paint containers- are recycled. Alternatively, you can take advantage of your council’s hazardous waste collection options to ensure proper disposal.
But there are so many other options, other than those summarised above, which I have covered in this blog post.
If you want to know more about the ins and outs of paint and paint tin disposal, click on the topic that most interests you below:
And I cover the following FAQs if these interest you:
So if you want to know more about how to discard paint responsibly, keep reading.
Reuse options for unused paint
If you have unused paint that can still be used, instead of throwing it away you could pass it on to someone for reuse. Try Facebook Marketplace, buy-nothing groups or local community groups like a men’s shed. Or you could use the paint yourself.
Here are some great ideas from Sclage that I think cover all potential uses around the home:
- Accent wall
- Trims
- Doors
- Cabinets
- Drawers
- Furniture
- Mural
- Fireplace
- Frames
- Pots
- Base coat for another job
And you can mix paints if you have small amounts lying around and see what colour you end up with like this guy did:
Now I’m not a fan of holding onto things for “potential” use. That kind of thinking just adds to clutter in the home.
So I like the idea of finding someone that can make use of the product themselves.
I recently posted old paints on a Buy Nothing group and several local Facebook Groups via Facebook Marketplace. I got more than 18 responses through Facebook local Buy, Sell and Swap groups. I have not had much luck with Buy Nothing. But that could be because my Buy Nothing group is not very active.
I also emailed the local men’s group. After a couple of weeks, they emailed back saying they were interested. However, by then I had given all the paint away on Marketplace.
The upshot is that there are people out there who would take your unused paints off your hands. So it’s worth spending a minute to pop it onto a Facebook local group and within days it will be gone.
You may be curious about whether paint can get old and whether or not your paint is still good to use or pass on.
As a guide, here is a summary of some useful information I found on The Spruce about how long different paint types tend to last:
| Latex or Acrylic-Latex Paint | 2 to 10 years |
| Oil-Based Paint | 2 to 15 years |
| Chalk Paint | 1 to 5 years |
| Milk Paint | 1 to 7 days |
I found giving paint cans a good shake, no matter how old, usually shows whether paints are any good or not.
If it’s not good, then you will need to consider the disposal options, covered below.
Disposal options for old paint
If you are wondering how to dispose of paint in Australia, you can take your paints to a Paintback collection point at any time. They will ensure the product – both the paint and paint tins – are recycled. Alternatively, you can contact your council and they will tell you what to do.
Paintback is an industry initiative that takes back domestic and commercial quantities of unused paint and recycles the components for reuse, providing an environmentally friendly option for old paint disposal.
The solvents from paints are used as an energy source, the water they extract is used in industrial applications and paint tins and containers are recycled where possible, as explained in their diagram below:
They accept:
- Deck coatings and floor paints
- Interior and exterior architectural paint
- Packaging
- Primers
- Sealers
- Stains and shellacs
- Undercoats
- Varnishes and urethanes (single components)
- Wood coatings
regardless of the condition of these products.
You can find them in many locations throughout Australia. Just search on their website. https://www.paintback.com.au/
It makes disposing of paints so easy!
And it’s free – it’s funded through a model that so many other industries should adopt.
It is supported by major paint manufacturers who charge an extra 15 cents on their products at the point of purchase. Consumers aren’t aware – it just forms part of their total purchase price.
These companies then pass the levies received to Paintback.
This is the industry ensuring that there is a responsible way to recycle and deal with the waste produced by their products.
Along with disposing of waste paint responsibly, Paintback is committed to researching new ways to repurpose unwanted paint materials.
Not bad.
If you can’t find a Paintback drop-off location that is close to you, most Australian councils offer hazardous waste collection, which includes paint pick-ups. Because yes, paint is a hazardous waste.
Google the name of your local council area and the words “hazardous waste collection” and that should lead you to information on collection days or drop-off locations for hazardous waste.
Those are your two main options when it comes to old paint disposal.
Disposal of Old Paint Tins
Paint tins – whether empty or filled with paint – can be taken to a Paintback location around Australia. They will ensure the paint tin (and any unused paint) is recycled. If your old paint tins are empty or contain dried-up paint, you could place the tin in the recycling bin.
However, you should check with your council before you take this step.
Further information on Paintback can be found in the section above.
When it comes to placing the tin in your recycling bin, you could check with your council before you take this step if you are not sure.
I have found most council areas in Sydney and other major capital cities like Perth and Melbourne will say yes to putting empty paint tins in the recycling bin. This applies to both metal and plastic containers. And true even when there is dried-up paint still left on the tin/ container. Empty paint can disposal is that easy.
However, if there is still wet paint in the container do not place them in the recycling bin.
You will need to make use of the reuse and disposal options noted above.
It is often suggested by many rubbish removal companies that if there is wet paint left in the tin, you should dry up the paint and then place the container in your recycling bin. You could do that but I think it is a lot of unnecessary effort and not the best option out there.
If you have paint that is still good to use, pass it on to someone for reuse.
If your paint is no good, hand it to Paintback or your council for proper disposal.
This is the easiest way to deal with it all.
So hopefully that has given you some direction on how to dispose of unused paint.
It’s something I explored when I was doing a decluttering challenge I set myself months ago on Instagram. A user suggested I tackle my household chemicals and paints first and that’s what I did. It’s amazing what we collect in our homes unknowingly!
In doing the decluttering challenge I focused on how to reuse items that are still of use and how to recycle items that have come to the end of their life. But most importantly I reflected on how to reduce consumption going forward.
This led me to come up with some questions I could ask next time I purchase paints or chemicals I do not use often:
- Do I really need the product? Could I do without for a little while and see how I go?
- Could I use something else on hand to fulfil the same function?
- Could I borrow from a parent, friend, or neighbour?
Keeping these points in mind can help ensure we all consume responsibly, not consume excessively and produce unnecessary waste in several years’ time. Through these conscious choices, we can collectively work towards a more sustainable future 🌎
xx Tahsin
FAQ
Can I throw paint in the trash?
Paint can not be thrown in the trash because paint is hazardous to the environment, plants and animals. Even if it were to end up in landfill, it could leach into waterways and do damage to the environment or pollute our water sources.
Can I put paint tins in the bin?
Paint tins should not go in your landfill bin. If it is empty and contains dried-up paint, the tin or container can go in your yellow household recycling bin. However, if there is unused paint in the tin, it should be treated as hazardous waste and disposed of responsibly.
Refer to the section above for disposal options available in Australia for unused paint.
Can paint tins go in the recycling bin?
Yes paint tins, whether they are made from metal, aluminium or plastic, can go in your recycling bin, provided there is no wet paint left in the tin. The tin will need to be emptied as much as possible and the paint dried out (in a well-ventilated area) before you place it in the recycling bin.
If there is paint left in the tin, try to use it up or find someone to make use of the paint, following some of the suggestions noted above.
Does Bunnings take empty paint tins?
Bunnings does not take empty paint tins back. You will need to take your paints to one of the Paintback collection facilities located around Australia or take advantage of your council’s hazardous waste collection facilities or drop-off days.
Refer to the section above for more information.
Does Dulux take old paint?
Dulux does not take back old paint but they are one of the founding members of Paintback, who have collection points all across Australia to collect unwanted paint. But before you hand your paint over, consider various reuse options or try to find someone who can make use of the paint you have.
It’s not hard to find someone to take unwanted items off your hands these days so try it out.
A Heads Up: This posts contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission at no additional cost to you. Also as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products and services that will help you take steps towards a more sustainable life and will never recommend anything that does not align, in some way, with these values.
