Cleanaway Waste Management : joins a world first effort for responsible waste paint disposal

Cleanaway is pleased to announce that it will be supporting a world-first, waste paint collection scheme, in partnership with Paintback.

Paintback, the first unified, national scheme developed and implemented by the Australian paint manufacturing industry, offers professional and DIY painters alike an easy option for the responsible disposal of unwanted paint.

Working together with Cleanaway, Paintback aims to collect more than 45,000 tonnes of waste paint over the next five years: significantly reducing the amount going to landfill and maximising the inherent value of the recyclable materials.

The scheme, supported by founding members: Dulux Group, PPG Industries, Valspar, Haymes Paint and Resene - who together produce more than 90% of all architectural and decorative paint sold in Australia, is funded by the addition of a 15c per litre fee to the wholesale price of their products.

'As one of Australia's leading total waste management providers, Cleanaway's national footprint, and proven track record in the responsible treatment of liquid waste and recycling make it extremely well placed to support the national program.' said Karen Gomez, Chief Executive of Paintback.

Cleanaway has signed on to a three year contract as Paintback's national partner, providing drop off and collection services across the country. Twelve Cleanaway sites will be ready to accept waste paint, following the scheme's launch on 2 May 2016. Paintback has also invited local councils to become collection points for the program, which Cleanaway will also service as its national collection partner. The national network of collection points is expected to grow over coming months.

Once collected, the waste paint will be transferred to Cleanaway's liquid treatment plants for processing where specialist equipment will crush the tins and extract the paint for processing and treatment. Waste elements from water based paint will be processed before beneficial reuse through composting, while waste elements from solvent based paints (an estimated 10% of expected volumes) will be used as an alternative fuel source for a local cement manufacturer. Plastic and metal paint packaging will also be recovered and recycled.

'The launch of Paintback is an exciting step forward in the safe and sustainable management of waste paint', said Blake Senior, Cleanaway's General Manager - Liquid Waste Services. 'Paintback's rapidly expanding network of collection sites over coming months will make it easier for people to do the right thing and dispose of paint safely - importantly keeping it out of landfill.

'We are excited to partner with Paintback to bring this program to life. Through Cleanaway's national reach, commitment to sustainability and extensive experience in the safe and compliant collection and treatment of liquid waste, as well as our recycling capabilities, we are extremely confident in our ability to support this important initiative.' Mr Senior said. 'We will continue to work with Paintback and look for ways to help expand the program's reach and for more Australians to safely dispose of waste paint.'

For further Information contact:
Melissa McColl
Communications and Engagement Manager
1300 723 685

Download a PDF copy of the release here.

Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd is Australia's leading waste management company, operating a national network of unique collection, processing, treatment and landfill assets from over 200 locations across Australia. Our philosophy is that all waste is a resource and we aim to incorporate recover, recycling and reuse throughout our operations and those of our clients. Our mission is to make a sustainable future possible for all our stakeholders.