Circular Economy Showcase
Paint
Welcome to the Paint Circular Economy Showcase
An initiative delivered by The Rediscovery Centre in strategic partnership with the EPA.
Affordable, High Quality and Remixed.
We are delighted to showcase the amazing resource that is rescued paint.
Paint waste is an environmental problem in Ireland. In 2016, Ireland generated 2,000 tonnes of paint waste. That’s the equivalent weight of 13 adult blue whales! What’s more the majority of this waste was sent to Germany for incineration at a cost of roughly €600,000.
In order to reduce our environmental impact and save public money we want to reduce paint waste now!
With this in mind, we have compiled the ultimate guide on how you can help to reduce paint waste, but also save money by buying affordable, high quality remixed paint.
In this guide we’ll tell you where you can purchase more environmentally friendly paint at an affordable price, how to store and use paint efficiently, and how to donate any paint that you have leftover.
Buying & Donating Paint
Buying Remixed Paint
Kinder for your pocket, kinder for the planet.
One new pot of paint in a conventional DIY shop can cost you between €4 - €25 a litre.
At Paint Reuse Network member organisations, you can by high quality remixed paint for between €1.50 - €3.00 per litre.
These organisations continually produce a stock of approximately 12 colours, and will often mix bespoke colours at your request. See a full list of Paint Reuse Network member organisations where you can buy affordable, high quality, remixed paint here.
While remixed paint is an affordable option, all Paint Reuse Network organisations are social enterprises. This means that the price you pay directly funds those organisations in carrying out sustainability and training initiatives.
DONATING PAINT
DONATING PAINT
Did you know that paint can be reused?
If you’ve got leftover paint, don’t wave goodbye to it, simply bring it along to one of 19 Recycling centres around Ireland that work with the Paint Reuse Network.
All colours of water-based non-hazardous paints for internal and external use can be donated and reused. You can also donate oil-based paints to recycling centres, but they cannot be reused as of yet. To maximise opportunities for reuse, paint should be donated as soon as possible after you have completed the job. This helps to preserve quality.
While each Civic Amenity site has a different approach, most charge a small fee for paint donation.
You can see which Civic Amenity Sites work with the Paint Reuse Network on this page.
To find out more about Civic Amenity Sites, see more on Mywaste.ie.
How is paint reused?
Members of Ireland’s Paint Reuse Network employ a specific model of paint reuse. When you donate paint at one of 19 participating recycling centres, staff will set it aside and paint reuse organisations then come to screen the paint for quality. Anything that is usable (usually about 50% of water-based paint donations are reusable) is taken away, filtered for impurities, remixed, and resold for a nominal fee. Very few additional ingredients are added to the process. On occasion, if a particular colour is requested a small amount of pigment can be added to a batch.
In 2021 Paint Reuse Network members diverted more than 10 tonnes of paint from incineration.
Don’t forget to…
Getting the most out of Paint
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Rollers
Use a roller instead of a paintbrush, it’s more efficient.
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Paint Calculators
Use a paint calculator to figure out exactly how much paint you need for the job.
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Reuse Excess Paint
If you have leftover paint, consider using it for another DIY project, such as a shed, playhouse, plant-pots or other small home décor! Check out some of the simple and creative ways you can use your excess paint here. https://www.bhg.com/decorating/paint/projects/genius-uses-for-leftover-paint/
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The Right Paint
Always use the right paint for the right job. Don’t purchase paint until you are sure it’s the correct kind of paint.
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Pass it on
If you’ve finished your project and now have excess paint which is still usable, ask family and friends - it might be perfect for a painting project they have in mind!
Keeping your paint in tip-top condition
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When opening lids, do so with care to avoid damaging the sealing ring. Use a sturdy, flat tool to lever it open, such as a flat-head screwdriver, a putty knife, or a painter's tool. Place the head of the tool in the gap where the lid meets the can and lift up gently. Continue all the way around the can until you can remove the whole lid.
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Protect the paint from frosts and extreme temperatures, eg. don’t leave them outside.
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To prevent your paint from drying out, ensure the lid is on tightly and securely when you are finished with your project.
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After sealing the container, flip it upside down for a few seconds to prevent a skin forming on the paint, and be sure to store in an upright position.
Paint Reuse Initiatives
The Irish Paint Reuse Network
The Paint Reuse Network is a collective of Paint Reuse groups who are located around Ireland with a common mission to reuse discarded and unused paint otherwise destined for incineration. The network encourages and facilitates the reuse and redistribution of second life paint within their communities. Paint Reuse Network members collect paint from recycling centres and recycle it to create new colours.
Paint providers stock non-hazardous, water-based paints for internal use on walls and ceilings. These quality paints are provided in a range of colours.
The network also aims to share knowledge, best practice, and provide a coherent and cohesive approach to the process of collecting and redistributing paint.
For more information head to The Paint Reuse Network website.
Irish Paint Reuse Network Members
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The Redisocvery Centre
The Boiler House, Ballymun Road, Ballymun, Dublin 9, D09 HK58
Hours : Monday–Saturday 9am–5pm
Phone : (01) 893 3801
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Northside Community Enterprises
Farranferris Education & Training Campus, Redemption Rd, Cork City
Hours : Monday–Friday 9am–5pm
Phone : (021) 422 8100
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Cycle Sense
Show Grounds, Mill Road, Skibbereen P81 FY79
Hours : Monday–Friday : 10am–6pm
Phone : 087 924 2222
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Tait House Community Enterprise
Tait House, Collins Avenue, Roxboro Road, Limerick. V94 NXT8
Hours : Monday–Friday 8.30am–5pm
Phone : (061) 415 340
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IRD Duhallow
James O'Keeffe Institute, Demesne, Newmarket, Co. Cork, P51 C5YF
Hours Monday–Friday :9am–5.30pm
Phone : (029) 60633
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Renew Enterprises
Renew Enterprises, Unit 2, Block 4, Lacken Road Business Park, Killbarry, Waterford, X91 PW29
Hours : Monday–Friday : 8.00am–4.30pm
Phone : 089 243 6006
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Revamp Longford
11A2 Mastertech Business Park, Athlone Road, Longford N39 Y0F4
Hours : Monday–Friday :9am–5pm
Phone : (043) 334 8876
Join the network
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In order to be considered for membership, an organisation must first develop a plan and timeline for putting in place their paint reuse initiative. This must include evidence of feasibility of access to:
A dedicated set team.
A collection site.
A space to mix and house the recovered paint.
A willingness to connect with the network.
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Full membership to the Paint Reuse Network is open to any community group or organisations operating a paint reuse initiative within Ireland, who are committed to the values and vision of the network. Membership is approved by the network coordination group upon application.
There is currently no charge to join the network.
If you are interested in setting up, or have already set up, a paint reuse initiative in your community, contact research@rediscoverycentre.ie to see if it may make sense for you to become a full member of the Paint Reuse Network.
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All members of the national paint reuse network will receive support, which will include but not be limited to…
Networking
Training
Technical guidance
Policy and legislative support
Business development
Funding opportunities & advice
Communications
Around the world
Ireland isn’t the only paint reuse hotspot.
Paint reuse network organizations around the world are dedicated to reducing waste by collecting leftover or unused paint from individuals and businesses and redistributing it to those in need. These organizations often work with local governments and nonprofit groups to establish collection programs and distribute the collected paint to community organizations, schools, and other individuals for a variety of projects. By promoting the reuse of paint, these organizations help to create a more sustainable and equitable society.
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Community RePaint is a UK wide paint reuse network, sponsored by Dulux, that aims to collect leftover paint and redistribute it to benefit individuals, families, communities and charities in need at an affordable cost. The network is run on a day to day basis by environmental consultancy, Resource Futures. The network is made up of over 65 schemes, no two schemes the same, varying in size, operational set up and motivational drivers, all with the same vision. Their paint has helped groups revitalise shared spaces, and create colourful murals for the community; enabled people on low income to redecorate their homes at low cost; and provided employment, training and volunteer opportunities.
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Eco Paints was founded in 2012 and sells special paints, which are composed of unused paint and thus contribute to reducing the environmental impact of paints and coatings. Paint residue is collected and selected by Eco Paints for reuse. In cooperation with specialists paint residues are processed into new paint.
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Based in Illinois, USA, EarthPaint recycles old latex paint into a high-quality product that works for both inside or outside jobs. They aim to do three things: make a great product people will love, clean up the dirty paint industry, and provide opportunities for their community by hiring adults with disabilities.
