We’re excited to share that Community RePaint member InUse ReUse in Camberwell has partnered with historic paint manufacturer Mylands to close the loop on paint.
InUse ReUse is a social enterprise committed to preventing usable materials from becoming waste. Originally focused on collecting and redistributing surplus construction materials, InUse ReUse has expanded into the DIY space to scale its impact and bring circular economy principles directly to customers.
Founded in 1884 and still manufacturing in Lambeth, London, Mylands is Britain’s oldest family-owned paint manufacturer.
Through connections made within the Community RePaint network, InUse ReUse now collects Mylands’ mistinted and surplus batches of paint, repackages them, and sells them through its online platform and The Remakery in Brixton.
This partnership approach:
• Prevents high-quality paint from going to waste
• Makes sustainable, premium paint accessible at lower price points
• Provide a consistent production output of same colour paints
• Extends the life of existing materials in line with circular economy principles
• Creates a scalable model for reuse beyond traditional donation based systems
Each stage of the process from collection to resale is designed to retain value, reduce environmental impact and challenge the assumption that DIY products must be newly manufactured to be desirable.
Dennis Boateng, founder of InUse ReUse, says “Working with Mylands has shown just how much high‑quality paint can be saved from becoming waste when manufacturers and reuse organisations collaborate. Together, we’re proving that surplus materials can have a second life—and that circular solutions can be both commercially viable and environmentally impactful.”
A spokesperson for Mylands said, “At Mylands, we are recognised by our to sustainability, including the development of plant-based, low VOC paints using natural fillers and binders. Working with InUse ReUse ensures we have a route for surplus paint generated through mis-tinted batches, cancelled orders and leftover ingredients can be redistributed responsibly, extending product life while maintaining the brand’s premium quality standards.”
This collaboration is already reducing waste, lowering carbon impact, and increasing access to sustainable DIY products. On top of that, it serves as a blueprint for future partnerships.
InUse ReUse aims to continue expanding its paint offering while working with manufacturers and reuse networks to create resilient, low waste supply chains across the DIY and construction sectors. By embedding reuse into both physical operations and digital retail, they are helping redefine what sustainable DIY looks like proving that surplus materials can be high quality, desirable and commercially viable.
Want to help close the loop on paint? Find your local Community RePaint organisation here.