You might have read the latest news that researchers at the World Meteorological Organisation say there is now a 66% chance we will pass the 1.5C global warming threshold by 2027 – a scary thought right?
When talking about climate change and our impact on the environment, although much pressure does need to be applied at an industrial level, there are steps individuals can also take to save on carbon and limit our impact on the environment. This logic can be applied to painting and decorating, and Community RePaint is here to help, offering an environmentally friendly painting solution!
By opting to purchase surplus paint from the Community RePaint network, individuals are preventing leftover paint from going to waste. Instead, this manufactured product is being reused, lengthening the product’s lifespan and increasing its circularity.
Community RePaint’s circular approach to extend the life of leftover paint
In the UK alone, it is estimated that over 50 million litres of the 480 million litres of paint sold each year is disposed of as waste, despite over 50% of this paint still being in reusable condition!
Next time you’re planning a decorating project, don’t ‘guesstimate’ how much paint you’re going to need. Instead, use our paint estimator tool to work out the volume required for your project. This will prevent the amount of excess paint you’re leftover with. You can then visit your nearby Community RePaint scheme to pick up the paint you need. Click here to search for your local scheme.
Community RePaint schemes stock a wide range of high-quality leftover paint in full and part-full tins, passed on for reuse by businesses, traders and waste contractors. All paint passed on to our network of schemes is sorted, processed and quality checked to strict standards by the scheme’s team of employees and volunteers, ensuring you don’t purchase any paint in unusable condition.
Using our paint estimator tool will help you reduce the likelihood of buying more paint than you need, and by visiting your nearby scheme, you’ll also be saving some money. Paint is then sold from £2 per litre – better for your bank account and the environment!
If this is your first painting and decorating rodeo, and you’re unsure exactly what paint you need for your next project, we’re here to help. Read our informative blog post, full of helpful insights to broaden your knowledge of the different paint types our schemes stock, and how each type can be used.
Different types of pint also have differing impacts on the environment. We recommend using water-based products rather than oil-based ones. Water-based paints comprise less solvents than their oil-based counterparts, which means they release less volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Therefore, water-based paints are considered better for both the environment and people’s health. Not only this, but oil-based paints are more carbon and energy intensive to produce in comparison with water-based products. Find out more here.
Water-based paints are also much easier to wash off clothes, skin and paint brushes. This means mishaps can be dealt with easily, and paint brushes, plus other decorating tools, can be used repeatedly and will last longer, as the paint can be easily cleaned off using warm water and soap.
We always recommend wearing protective clothing when painting. Another win for water-based painting products is that they can be easily washed out of protective clothing. This means it’s more sustainable and economically beneficial to wear reusable overalls, as opposed to single-use alternatives, when decorating, as reusable overalls can be easily washed and worn for years to come.
You may also be able to borrow supplies for your decorating project from your nearby Library of Things. These are organisations that loans out item, from DIY tools and garden machinery to kitchen appliances and other useful household items, to members of its local community. By borrowing rather than buying new, you will save on cost and free up space in your home while preventing overconsumption and reducing waste and carbon emissions. Find out more here.
At the end of your painting extravaganza, if you do have any paint leftover, pass it on for reuse through the Community RePaint network to help to keep it in circulation for longer, while benefiting individuals and groups within your local community. Click here to search for your nearby drop off point.
