brushing around

Step 2: Separating the paint from the tin packaging

For the steel paint cans, a machine called a decanter is used. This literally crushes the can, so the can drops down one chute and the paint flows down the other chute. The paint is then pooled together in 1,000 litre containers and colour matched into one of Resene’s ‘community colours’ ready for donation to community groups and councils. Steel is one of the most highly recycled materials in New Zealand, and it’s a very straightforward process. Resene’s plastic paint pails, however, go through a more comprehensive process.

Step 3: Separating the paint from the plastic pail

The goal is to turn a used pail back into another new pail “We do that by literally scraping the paint out of the pail, dipping in with what's called a ‘spigot’ and then wrangling it with a spatula to finish the process. It’s not dissimilar to cleaning out a cake tin”, Trevor says laughing!

Step 4: Separating the polymers for recycling

The process now takes a more technical turn. The pails are stripped to separate the polymer streams out with a washing process. The remaining strips are then stacked and dried ready for the next stage of recycling. The pails are shredded and granulated before being moulded into a resin. The resin is then used to make ‘new’ Resene paint pails using 100% recycled plastic.

The whole process is effectively a full circle, as you leave your paint pail, and then get a fully recycled one at the other end. “It’s probably the best example of a circular recycling scheme”, says Trevor. This alongside the paint itself being recycled and donated to community projects by Resene is a very rewarding process.

So when you’re thinking about painting up a storm, you can rest assured Resene will help you take care of your unwanted paint and paint packaging once you’ve finished the decorating.

Find out more about Resene PaintWise, your local recycling centre and how to apply for community paint.

› The Resene PaintWise paint recycling programme is the only paint recycling programme ever accredited by the Ministry for the Environment.

What happens with the cans, pails and paints?

Cans are sent to steel recycling, pails are remade into more pails, solventborne paints are sent to solvent recovery so the solvents can be extracted and used in other industries and waterborne paints are donated to community groups and used in Paintcrete concrete manufacture.

Top tips for making the most of your paint and paint packaging:

• Only buy what you need.
• Pour your paint into a separate paint pot and paint out of that, not your main container. This helps keep your main container of paint in good condition.
• Store leftover paint in a cool dry place to keep it in good condition.
• Use, donate or recycle your paint while the paint is still usable, not once it is dried up.
• Wash out paint pails and reuse them around your home as handy buckets.

Quick stats

Since Resene PaintWise’s launch:

• Over 1 million kg of packaging diverted from landfill and recycled
• Over 1 million litres of solventborne paint sent to solvent recovery
• Over 340,000 litres of community paint donated to community groups and councils, enough to cover over 4 million square metres.

Want to get your own free copy of future issues of habitat magazine?

Printed copies of habitat highlights are available from late March 2024 at Resene ColorShops and resellers, while stocks last. You can view back issues of habitat magazine online.

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If you have an idea, project or story that you think would suit habitat, we’d love to hear from you. Please drop us an email with your details and include photos if submitting a project.

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