Whether you’ve just finished a weekend DIY project or you’ve descovered a graveyard of half-empty tins in the back of the shed, disposing of paint in Australia is easier – and greener – then you might think.
In the past, many people simply tossed old tins in the red bin or (worse) poured liquid down the drain. Today, Australia has world-class systems to ensure these chemicals don’t end up in our waterways. Here is everything you need to know about responsibily recycling paint and cans in 2026.
The Golden Rule: Liquid Paint Never Goes in the Bin.
Before we talk about where it can go, let’s talk about where it can’t.
- No Red Bin: Wet paint is considered hazardous waste. It can leak from garbage trucks and contaminate soil.
- No Drain: Pour paint down thne sink or stormwater drain is illegal and causes massive damage to local aquatic life.
Use Paintback
Paintback is Australia’s industry-led stewardship program. It’s a free service for households and trade painters to dispose of unwanted paint responsibly.
What they accept: Waste-based and solvent-based interior and exterior paints, deck coatings, varnishes and stains.
The Limit: You can usually dropp off up to 100 litres per visit (stored in containers of 20L or less).
Where to go: These are over 165 permanent collection points across Australia, often located at local council transfer stations or hardware stores.
What happens to it? The steel and plastic packaging is recycled. Solvent-based paints are used as an energy soure, while water-based paints are treates to separate the liquid from the solid, which are then used in industrial applications.
Community Recycling Centres (CRCs)
If you live in NSW, Victoria or Queensland, your local council likey operates a Community Recycling Centre (CRC) or a “Resource Recovery Centre”.
These centres are permanent drop-off points for “problem waste” that can’t go in your kerbside bins. Along with paint, they usually accept household batteries, gas bottles, and fluro
Don’t waste your options – make them count.