Over 100,000 litres of paint a year, enough to cover almost 180 football pitches is disposed of by re3 residents each year. Incredibly, we estimate that 65% of discarded paint are still in usable condition. To prevent this waste, re3 launched a re3paint – Community Paint Reuse initiative that allow residents to collect free tins of full or partly used paint that were deposited at the Recycling Centres. Reclaimed paint can be used for their own projects or to help their local charity and community groups. By doing so, residents and community groups can save money on purchasing paint and at the same time help to reduce unnecessary paint waste and its impact on the environment.
Have you used leftover paint for an exciting project?
Share it with us! Email some photos and short description to: re3info@reading.gov.uk with a subject: re3paint scheme.
How to collect free paint for your home or project?
- Water-based paint is available to collect from both Recycling Centres: Longshot Lane, Bracknell and Island Road, Reading during the sites opening hours. Standard booking process apply to enter the site
- Available paint is displayed in the designated cabinet/shelf marked re3paint – community paint reuse area – if you cannot locate it, please ask member of staff for assistance.
- When collecting the paint tins, you need to complete a short form (Community Paint Scheme Log) before taking it away.
- You can only collect paint tins that are on display (members of staff are unable to provide specific tins of reuse paint on request).
All displayed paints are partly used and are in the original container. We cannot guarantee the colours, condition and suitability of paint available on the site, as this will depend on the materials deposited at the recycling centre.
Please note that no paint to be opened on site and reuse paint cannot be reserved or held aside for customers for future collection. Reuse paint is not to be exchanged, resold or traded commercially for financial gain. If you are not satisfied with collected paint, you can bring it back to the recycling centre.
Reduce paint waste
Buy what’s needed
We estimate that 30% of people have leftover paint because they bought too much. One easy way you can help reduce the amount of leftover paint, is to prevent over-purchase by buying the right amount.
Before start painting, calculate how much paint you actually need to finish your project. Using less paint will not only help you save money, you’ll be playing a part in protecting the planet.
Dispose of responsibly
It’s important to remember that you can’t tip paint down the sink or your drains or put it out with your normal rubbish. Instead, any unwanted paint should always be brought to the recycling centres.
One litre of improperly disposed paint can pollute up to 250,000 litres of water which is why it’s important to dispose of paint properly.
What if your paint is still usable?
- If you have any left-over paint that is in usable condition, please bring it to the Recycling Centres. We will then redistribute it to the members of public.
- To ensure that the paint is suitable please check following conditions:
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The paint should be no older than two years old.
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The minimum amount must be 1ltr.
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If the paint smells, it is likely to be unsuitable.
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If the tin is rusty, then this is not usually a good sign.
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What if your paint is no longer usable?
- If your paint is no longer usable, you can help us by hardening the paint. You can do so by adding a paint hardener, sawdust sand or soil to the tin and leave the lid off until the paint becomes solid and dry (pierce the dried paint to make sure it’s fully hardened). When it’s hardened please bring it to the Recycling Centres.
- Please note: we understand that it is not always possible to harden a paint at home therefore we will also accept liquid paint at the sites.
