Leading the World in Post-Consumer Paint Recycling

The coatings industry in Canada leads the world in post-consumer paint recycling with a program in every province. In 2017, 28 million kilograms of leftover paint was recovered and recycled. This represents enough to paint 560,000 average size homes. One of CPCA’s primary goals, on behalf of its members, is to ensure ‘appropriate’ regulations are in place to achieve the best possible outcomes for the environment.

CPCA members have been supporting the effective operations and efficient administration of product stewardship programs in Canada since the early 1990s. Unused or leftover architectural paint continues to be a major focus of product stewardship efforts because of its high volume in the household hazardous waste stream, the high cost to manage and its potential for increased reduction, recovery, reuse and recycling. 

Éco-peinture is the program operator in Quebec, Alberta Recycling Management Authority in Alberta and Product Care in eight Canadian provinces, and all have worked hard to ensure an environmentally sound and cost-effective program in each province.

Paint manufacturers, CPCA members, pay 100 per cent for the end-of life management of leftover paint, which covers such things as collection, transportation, storing, recycling and the related logistics and administration. CPCA continues to liaise with provincial governments that seek to establish new legislation and/or regulations related to waste management.

Positive Outcomes
of Paint Recycling

SUSTAINABILITY_ICON 1

28 Million Kilograms
Paint Recycled in 2017

SUSTAINABILITY_ICON 2

560,000 average size homes
Painted with 28 million kgs

SUSTAINABILITY_ICON 3

3,000 Drop-off Sites
For your leftover paint
in Canada

SUSTAINABILITY_ICON 4

13 Gallons of Water
Saved using one gallon
of recycled paint

SUSTAINABILITY_ICON 5

100 Percent of Costs
Paid by producers
for paint recycling

The coatings industry in Canada leads the world in post-consumer paint recycling with a program in every province.