PAINT
RECYCLING
PROGRESS REPORT

MAKING RECYCLING MORE CONVENIENT

93% of the population live no further than
a 20-minute drive from a paint recycling depot

*cost per kg. recovered, **kgs. recovered per capita; 2011-16

RECYCLING RESULTS

The chart presents results over the last five years. Sales of new paint for the past three years have decreased over the levels seen in the two years prior. These lower sales drive the volume of leftover paint recovered by the program and are a result of the downturn in the Alberta economy.

NUMBER OF SPRAY PAINT CANS RECYCLED

The chart presents results over the last five years. The current year of 2018-19 shows continued growth with a 19.6% increase over the previous year. This improvement is attributed in part to communications for commercial paint roundups that specify spray paint cans are accepted in the program for recycling (see next page for more information on these roundups). Since 2008, five million spray paint cans have been recycled.

ENVIRONMENTAL FEES AT WORK

The environmental fees paid on the purchase of new paint and containers are used to help fund collection and recycling of this material along with other Program-related costs (see pie chart). There are 509 businesses (Suppliers) registered with Alberta Recycling to ensure that the fees are remitted on each eligible product sold in Alberta. Alberta Recycling values the commitment of these Suppliers who diligently remit the fees for the recycling of leftover paint and containers.

Recycling Expenditures0%

Collection and recycling of paint and containers

Administration0%

Program management

Recycling Development0%

R&D; Program awareness

ALBERTANS SUPPORT THE PAINT
RECYCLING PROGRAM

Every year Albertans are polled to measure support for the Paint Program and the environmental fees charged on the sale of new paint and containers.This year the results indicated Program support remains strong while support for the fees increased by five points over 2018. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@albertarecycling) and make sure to post a photo of yourself recycling your old paint, spray paint and paint containers!

HELPING ALBERTA BUSINESS
RECYCLE THEIR PAINT

Recycling depots often have limited storage capacity or operating hours that can restrict the access for painting contractors and businesses to recycle their leftover paint and containers. Alberta Recycling is working with recycling depots and paint Recyclers to help address these issues. In 2018-19, monthly commercial paint roundups were held in Edmonton and Calgary. This was in addition to six municipalities that held roundups in north, central and southern Alberta, with feedback obtained from participants to continue with commercial paint roundups in 2019-20.

EMPTY PAINT CANS ARE RECYCLED TOO

Metal paint cans and plastic pails are an equally important part of the Paint Recycling Program as the environmental fees paid at the time of purchase help fund the collection and recycling of these materials.

What Happens to Empty Plastic Paint Cans?

The plastic pails collected by paint Recyclers are shipped to an approved processor in southern Alberta and recycled into composite lumber, fence posts and parking curbs.

What Happens to Empty Metal Paint Cans?

The metal cans are recycled into industrial products such as rebar.

ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS
FOR RECYCLERS

An objective of the Paint Program is to ensure leftover paint and containers are collected and shipped by the registered recyclers to downstream processors in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Regular inspections by Alberta Recycling and an environmental audit by external experts every three years confirm if the Recyclers are following the requirements of the Program.

WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR
LEFTOVER PAINT?

Once a computer is collected by a registered Recycler, they are responsible to destroy the hard drive (example pictured above) and other storage media. The Recyclers can also provide Certificates of Destruction if requested.

Registered Recyclers pick up
leftover or unused paint and containers
from 318 depots throughout Alberta
and from businesses and institutions.

Oil-based paint is bulked and
shipped to approved downstream
processors to be used in the
energy recovery process.

The latex paint is delivered to approved
recyclers in Alberta for two end uses:
to be made into new paint and to be used as
feedstock in the manufacturing of cement.