RECYCLING RESULTS

This chart presents results over the last five years. 2019-20 shows an increase of 4.6% processed over the prior year, indicating an increase in sales resulting from a gradual recovery in the economy (an increase in paint purchases results in an increased amount of paint discarded).

NUMBER OF SPRAY PAINT CANS RECYCLED

This chart presents results over the last five years. While the number of cans processed decreased by 6.5% over 2018-19, the amount in 2019-20 remains higher than previous years. A combination of factors could contribute to this result: this was the fourth year for commercial paint roundups, enabling businesses to drop off unlimited amounts of eligible paint products for recycling plus an additional Recycler was approved in 2018-19.

ENVIRONMENTAL FEES AT WORK

The environmental fees that Albertans pay when buying new paint products are used to help fund the collection and recycling of this material along with other Program-related costs. There are 513 paint producers and suppliers registered with ARMA who collect these fees on the sale of each eligible product sold in Alberta and remit the funds to ARMA. We value their commitment and diligence as part of the frontline of the paint recycling program.

Recycling Expenditures0%

Collection and recycling of paint and containers

Recycling Development0%

R&D; Program awareness

Program Delivery Expenditures0%

Costs to deliver the program

Corporate Administration0%

Corporate costs

ALBERTANS SUPPORT THE PAINT
RECYCLING PROGRAM

Albertans are regularly polled to measure their support for the program and over the past five years,
commitment to paint recycling has remained strong.

HELPING ALBERTA BUSINESS
RECYCLE THEIR PAINT

Commercial paint roundups have become firmly established events in Edmonton and Calgary with monthly roundups running from April – November. This year Red Deer began holding events, combining them with used oil material collection which has proved popular for residents and businesses alike.

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?

Registered Recyclers pick up leftover or unused paint and containers from 323 paint recycling depots and roundups as well as from businesses and institutions.

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

Latex paint is delivered to an approved recycler in Alberta for processing into new paint or, if the latex is solid or semi-solid, it is used as feedstock in cement manufacturing.

ARMA oversees end-of-life processing of tires, electronics, paint and used oil materials on behalf of the province. Since 1992, ARMA has worked with a broad spectrum of stakeholders to shape recycling policy, create a value-added processing system, minimize waste entering landfills and to act as collective stewards of Alberta’s environment.