Why old paint should be recycled (and not washed down the sink)

By Emma Lucey 10 April 2025

It might seem tempting to dispose of leftover paint by washing it down the drain, but that‘s just washing away valuable resources. With a little effort paint can be recycled and reused, and you can rest easy knowing you did the right thing. Here’s how.

So, you have decluttered your garage and found multiple tins of old paint that are so outdated that your bedroom has been painted a whole different colour since you last used it. You don’t need it anymore, there’s only a little bit left in the can, and you think, “I‘ll just pour it down the drain”.  

STOP right there! Not only is washing paint down your sink harmful to the environment, it can also cause plumbing issues in the future. Paint contains various chemicals, solvents, and pigments that can cause significant harm if they end up in our waterways. These substances can pollute vital water sources, disrupt ecosystems, and even pose risks to human health.  

What might seem like a simple disposal solution can have far-reaching negative impact on the environment and your home. Not to mention, those old paint cans can’t be recycled once empty with the remnants of paint still inside. 

Luckily, there’s a way to handle leftover paint and paint packaging, and it involves recycling – not flushing it away. Here’s how you can deal with leftover paint while being environmentally responsible and taking care of your pipes.

Where to drop-off paint and paint packaging for repurposing 

Paint and paint packaging should never be put in your household recycling bin. In Australia, the Paintback scheme is a great option for repurposing leftover paint and empty paint containers, providing free drop-off points for unwanted paint and packaging for both households and trade painters.  

Since its launch in 2016, Paintback has collected and safely repurposed more than 60 million kilograms of paint. That’s enough to paint the Opera House over 9,000 times! 

With over 165 collection sites across the country, it’s easy to find a nearby drop-off location. Search for one near you on our paint page. 

What Paintback does:  

• Paintback accepts both liquid paint and empty paint packaging up to 100L for resource recovery, including dried up or hardened paint in its original packaging. Deck and floor paints, interior and exterior paints, primers, sealers, stains and shellacs, undercoats, varnishes and urethanes and wood coatings are all accepted. 

• Paintback is committed to researching new ways to repurpose unwanted paint materials. They close the paint loop by repurposing paint into products like non-toxic paint for road markings or concealer paint for graffiti, as well as reusing the materials from paint cans in the manufacturing of new products. 

• Paintback ensures that hazardous chemicals are properly handled, reducing pollution and landfill waste. 

By recycling paint, you’re helping to reduce pollution, conserve resources, and ensuring that harmful chemicals don’t end up in our landfills and waterways.     Find a paint drop-off location near you: recyclingnearyou.com.au/paint