PAINT RECYCLING
2020-21
PROGRESS REPORT

MAKING RECYCLING
MORE CONVENIENT

 

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

This chart displays results of paint recycling over the last three years. 2020-21 shows an increase of 10% over the prior year. Sales were very strong under COVID-19 conditions with Albertans completing home projects. This resulted in increased volumes of leftover paint brought in for recycling sold.

 

Chart note: Capture rate measures the amount processed as a percent of the estimated amount leftover.

RECYCLING RESULTS
FOR PAINT CANS

Aerosol volumes in 2020/21 decreased slightly over the prior year with less activity in the business sector due to the impact of COVID-19.

PROGRAM SUSTAINABILITY

This year, ARMA conducted an industry consultation on revisions to the Paint Bylaw to increase the environmental fees on eligible paint sales. These fees had not changed since 2009 (one year after program inception). The proposed changes were supported by the Minister of Environment for implementation on April 1/21, and will ensure the program’s sustainability and ability to meet its goals. Theses changes benefit municipalities and the paint recycling industry with adjustments to incentives, generating increased opportunities for Albertans and businesses in particular to recycle their leftover paint.

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

Paint-Stakeholder

KEY STAKEHOLDER AWARENESS AND SUPPORT

This year ARMA held over 125 virtual meetings and dialogues with stakeholders in the fields of industry, post-secondary institutions, municipal and provincial governments, and Indigenous relations, creating/supporting opportunities for innovation and expansion of existing and future programs. In the spirit of innovation, ARMA has brought together resources to develop a stronger ‘made-in-Alberta’ plastics solution. This project has partnered a post-secondary institution and a local downstream recycler to increase opportunities in maximizing their manufacturing line.

Paint-Albertan-Business-Recycle

ALBERTA BUSINESSES RECYCLE THEIR PAINT

Commercial paint roundups are firmly established events in Edmonton, Calgary and for the second year in a row, Red Deer. The roundups enable painting contractors and businesses in general to drop off unlimited amounts of program paint at no charge. ARMA staff are also on hand to help unload material. 

RECYCLING OF EMPTY METAL & PASTIC PAINT CANS

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS
FOR RECYCLERS

A program goal 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 ARMA and an environmental audit by external experts every three years confirm recyclers are meeting program requirements.

WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR
LEFTOVER PAINT? 

Registered recyclers pick up leftover or unused paint and empty cans from 335 paint recycling depots and recycling roundups (33 events in 2020-21) as well as from businesses and institutions.

Oil-based paint is bulked and shipped to approved downstream processors to be used in fuel blends to provide alternative fuel sources.

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.

RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORTS

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.

 

Inspiring a Future Without Waste