Ingeniously building a better future with Australia’s unwanted paint and packaging.
Paintback®, established in 2016, is an industry-led initiative designed to divert unwanted paint and packaging from ending up in landfill and vital waterways.
Paintback is driven by the Australian paint industry and the major companies that supply around 90% of all the architectural and decorative (A&D) paint sold in Australia. Paintback’s founding members are Dulux, Haymes, PPG, Resene and Wattyl.
As an independent not-for-profit organisation, Paintback is funded through a 15 cent plus GST per litre levy on eligible products, between 1 litre and 20 litres inclusive.
Along with disposing of unwanted paint, Paintback is committed to researching new ways to repurpose unwanted paint materials and help develop a circular economy.
What happens to the paint and packaging?
DIY and trade painters take their unwanted paint and packaging to a Paintback location. Paintback accepts up to 100 litres per visit stowed in containers of up to 20 litres.
The unwanted paint and packaging is stored at the collection point ready for Paintback to pick it up.
Paintback transports it from the collection point for treatment. The packaging and liquid are separated.
The containers are recycled, subject to contamination. The solvent paint is used as an alternative energy source. Water is separated from acrylic paint, with the by-product used in a variety of industrial applications significantly reducing landfill.
Our R&D program aims to improve the current resource recovery towards 90% diversion from landfill and movement up the waste hierarchy.
Paintback helps professional and DIY painters:
Responsibly deal with unwanted and leftover paint after painting.
Declutter the garage, shed and anywhere else of old paint containers.
Recycle and reduce waste going to landfill.
Avoid landfill fees that may apply to unwanted paint and packaging.
Founding Members
We would like to acknowledge our founding members, whose eligible products end-of-life are managed through Paintback, Australia’s national waste paint and packaging solution.
Collection Locations
Paintback operates throughout all states and territories in Australia, with over 86% of the general population a short drive from a paintback location.
Use our location finder to search for your nearest drop-off point.
For location enquiries and more information on upcoming events, call 1300 390 380 to get in touch with our friendly customer service team.