Tickled pink with paint recycling

 A new paint-recycling initiative is meeting a good response in Taranaki, much to the delight of the region’s environmental watchdog.

PlaceMakers stores are accepting waste paint from both trade and private users. The material is re-processed and sold under the Enviropaint label.

The scheme was launched in February and the chain says the response at its New Plymouth store has exceeded all expectations.

The Taranaki Regional Council’s Director-Environment Quality, says the initiative is really positive news in terms of pollution reduction.

The owner of the New Plymouth Joint Venture PlaceMakers store, Kevin Jarvis, says the company is serious about its responsibility as a good corporate citizen.

“This is good for our environment, which in turn is good for our community. If it makes excellent economic sense to turn waste into a sellable product, why wouldn't you try it?

“This initiative has been well researched by PlaceMakers and we have taken a stand to support the process.”

Mr Bedford says there is a proven need for such a scheme in Taranaki. “During our last regional collection of hazardous wastes, old paints were the largest single category of wastes delivered to us. Obviously this is a significant issue for our community.

“Paint is one of those household products that we must buy in greater quantities than we eventually use, so inevitably there will be a lot of leftover paint around. It’s great to have an easy recycling option, especially one where industry steps up to take responsibility.”

Nationally, it’s estimated that a million litres of waste paint is lying around in sheds and workshops.

The PlaceMakers scheme applies to acrylic and oil-based paints, as well as stains, turps, meths, linseed oil and tung oil. It does not apply to lead-based, bituminous, automotive or marine paints, varnish, aerosols, filling compounds, texture coating, gritty paint or dry paint.

The paint submitted for recycling must be in its original container.

Enviropaints Ltd re-formulates the waste paint with raw material to create a new product which is backed with a 10-year guarantee. It also recycles the metal and plastic containers that the waste paint is in.

PlaceMakers has stores in New Plymouth, Stratford and Hawera.

Mr Bedford says the Taranaki Regional Council’s website, www.trc.govt.nz , has a Recycling Directory with information on recycling items ranging from car bodies to paint and pharmaceuticals.