Disposing of paint in an environmentally friendly way

It can be tough to guess the right amount of paint required for a self-build project often leaving self-builders with plenty of left-over paint.

According to the British Coatings Federation, only 2% of leftover decorative paint is either recycled or reused. Before you pour leftover paint down the drain, did you know that it’s illegal in the UK?

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, it is an offence to dispose of any waste, including paint, in a manner that is likely to cause harm to human health or the environment. This includes pouring paint down the drain, throwing it in the rubbish bin, or dumping it in a public area.

Improperly disposing of paint can lead to pollution of soil and waterways, which can harm wildlife. It can also pose a risk to human health, particularly if it is ingested or inhaled.

It’s serious business. If you are found to have illegally disposed of paint, you could be issued with a fixed penalty notice or face prosecution, which can result in fines and even imprisonment. It is important to follow the proper procedures for disposing of paint, which may include taking it to a hazardous waste facility or participating in a paint recycling scheme. This will help to protect the environment and ensure that you do not face any legal consequences.

Paint recycling

There’s new life in old paint, consider reusing it for another project or donating it to a local community organisation, school, or charity.

Some communities offer paint recycling programmes where you can drop off your leftover paint for proper disposal. Check with your local waste management authority or paint retailer for more information.

Community RePaint is a UK-wide paint reuse network, sponsored by Dulux, which collects leftover paint and redistributes it to community groups and individuals in need.

Your leftover paint can make a tangible difference to local communities and charities looking to revive spaces and create colourful murals. It also allows people on low income to redecorate their homes at low cost; and provide employment, training and volunteer opportunities building valuable skills and experience.

Check their website to see if there's a drop-off point near you.

Dry it out

If you have a small amount of paint left, you can simply leave it open to air dry. Once it's completely dry, it can be disposed of as regular household waste. If you have a larger amount of paint, you can speed up the drying process by adding sawdust or sand, or a commercial paint hardener to the paint can.

Alternatively, you can pour any of the remaining paint onto a newspaper-covered surface and let it dry.

Recycle Now website, managed by the waste charity Wrap, provides a guide to what can and can’t be recycled in your area. You simply type your postcode in to locate the closest facility.

How to dispose of paint

If you cannot reuse, donate, or recycle your paint, it's important to dispose of it correctly. Many local councils in the UK offer paint disposal services as part of their household hazardous waste collections. In most cases, you will be able to take the paint to a local hazardous waste site to dispose of it. You can enter your postcode on the GOV.UK website to find your nearest waste disposal service.