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Paint Reuse Network Makes A Difference

24 February 2011

Paint reuse network, Community RePaint, brightened up the surroundings for communities and individuals across the UK last year by re-distributing more than 215,000 litres of leftover, reusable paint donated by individuals and businesses.

During 2010 the network was able to support 12,000 groups and individuals across the country including a group of young people participating in the Prince's Trust Team Programme who redecorated the children's ward at Newham University Hospital.

Team Leader, Ben Adefisan explained: "As part of the programme the team choose a project that will have a long lasting benefit for the community and then set about raising funds to make it possible. By using paint from our local Community RePaint scheme we were able to create a bright and welcoming environment for the children on the Rainbow Ward and still have money for the other materials that we couldn't otherwise afford."

Last year 366m litres of paint (retail and trade) were sold in the UK. Of this, it is estimated that approximately 55m litres are unused, stored in homes or garages or just thrown away. That's enough paint to fill 22 Olympic-sized swimming pools!

During 2010 the scheme, managed by the environmental consultancy Resource Futures, was able to:

  • save 316,641 litres of paint, (with an estimated market value of over £1.25m), from being sent to landfill
  • redistribute over 215,000 litres of paint to community groups, charities, voluntary organisations and people in social need
  • save 561 tonnes of CO2
  • provide 132 volunteer and 112 training opportunities

Community RePaint has been sponsored by Dulux since 1993. Sue Brighton, Environmental Projects Manager commented: "Dulux is pleased to continue the long term sponsorship of the Community RePaint network and shares its vision to touch the lives of many individuals and communities in such a positive way through paint."

Helen Amos