Categories: News

Peter, tell us a bit about Community RePaint Bradford.

In 2001, the journey of Community RePaint Bradford began just down the road from our current location, in the cellar of a children’s creative art project. Inspired by the amount of leftover paint that would have gone to waste, we made the first steps towards becoming part of the network. In that first year, we collected 3,009 tins of paint with one member of staff and worked with other local charities to reuse the paint.

From these small beginnings, we have grown as a scheme, through the hard work and dedication of both staff and volunteers. We are now an integral part of Bradford Organic Community Service, whose aim is to provide services of environmental and social benefit. The organisation works to protect and preserve the environment by reusing, reclaiming and recycling as many waste products as possible.

Community RePaint Bradford paint area and scheme manager Karen Hutchinson and volunteer Lawrence Knowles.

 

The majority of our paint comes from eight local recycling centres, where we collect paint which has been dropped off by local residents. We also accept usable paint from local businesses, retailers, decorators and traders.

Due to the large amount of paint we collect, we always have a large variety of paint types and colours. The scheme also often stock painting accessories, such as rollers and paint brushes. Community RePaint Bradford really is your one-stop-shop for your next paint project.

Community RePaint Bradford paint area and scheme manager, Karen Hutchinson

 

Can you tell us what your typical working day is like at Community RePaint Bradford and top tips for managing your scheme?

Customers form a big part of our day, and we try to find every customer what they need, offering advice about different uses for paint. We often find many of our customers are new to painting and appreciate the support and suggestions from our team. If the colour that the customer is looking for isn’t on the shelf, we do our best to mix what they need.

Collection days involve visiting eight household waste and recycling centres in the local area. Once we get the paint back to our warehouse, we check each and every tin to see what is still usable. Once checked, the paint is sieved and mixed to create new colours. We wash out usable tubs to refill with paint, trying to reuse as much as we possibly can without waste. The paint tubs are painted to show the colour, to make it easy for customers to see what colour is in the tin.

Tins are then placed on shelves in the display area, organised by paint type and colour. This makes it easier for the customer to find exactly what they’re looking for.

Our top tip for managing a scheme is always stay focused on the ethos behind what you do. We feel that the most important thing is to help and support the people in our community. We do this mainly by providing paint to those who need it most but often can’t afford it, ensuring that everyone can decorate their home in the way they want. We also apply this to the volunteers who work so hard for us, recognising and enabling the skills they have, and always making them feel part of the team.

Community RePaint Bradford collecting and processing paint

 

What inspired you to want to save paint from going to waste?

I think the biggest inspiration is discovering just how much usable paint ends up in landfill or incinerated every day. The numbers are staggering, and during my time at Community RePaint Bradford, it’s become clear just how much usable paint is thrown away.

As well as that, the price of paint is very high, making it very difficult for people on a low income to buy good quality paint. The impact that low cost paint can have on an individual who struggles to afford basic things is striking. A family’s happiness on realising they can choose any colour without increasing cost, and create the home that they want, shows me the importance of Community RePaint to our community.

What have been Community RePaint Bradford’s biggest achievements this far?

We’re proud that Community RePaint Bradford is one of the largest schemes in the network. Between 2011 and 2021, we have collected over 543,000 litres of paint. Without the scheme’s hard work and determination, this paint would have gone to waste. Over the last year, we have served over 1400 members of the community, providing them with paint, advice, and support. We love nothing more than hearing from customers who have used our paint and seeing the amazing things they have created.

We have also been the first point of call for community groups, charities and artists to come along for affordable paint. We have supplied paint for numerous murals across the region since opening in 2001. These include Bradford in Spires, Jacob Well subway, Community Art in Todmorden and Ashford Care Home.

“Bradford in Spires” mural painted using paint from Community RePaint Bradford

 

Painting tips and tricks from the scheme: 

Scheme manager, Karen Hutchinson, is a trained painter/decorator by trade, so has a lot of knowledge to share with customers on how to decorate. We filmed a series of network videos with Karen, where she covers the best type of paints to use, preparing your walls, choosing and using the right roller, and many more helpful tips and tricks. Watch the YouTube playlist below!

If you visit the scheme, feel free to quiz Karen on all your decorating questions and she’ll be more than happy to help!

 

What’s next for Community RePaint Bradford?

Currently we’ve just received funding to purchase new shelving and other fittings for the shop. This will give the shop a much needed facelift and make it even easier for customers to find what they need. This also includes new mixing tables and new uniforms for the workers. We will tie in this refurbishment with a big marketing push to attract new customers.

In 2022, we are hoping to expand into surrounding areas of Bradford and South Yorkshire. The vision is to redistribute more paint to the wider areas, to create communities where everyone has the opportunity to brighten their spaces and their lives.

Click here for further information on Community RePaint Bradford and how to purchase affordable paint. You can also keep up to date with their latest news and stories via their Facebook page.

Why not share this article with someone you know to help them save money and the environment.

Community RePaint Moss Side, based in Manchester, opened its doors in January 2022. They collect full containers of paint from traders, retailers and manufacturers. The paint is available to individuals and groups starting from £2 per litre.

The scheme is run by the Boiler House. Created by the social enterprise Sow the City, the Boiler House is focused on creating a space where people can learn, socialise and thrive. They provide free and low-cost use of tools, equipment and workshops for anyone to gain new skills. After hearing about Community RePaint, they knew they were the perfect fit to run a new scheme. 

Sow the City’s has been a huge part of communities within Manchester since 2009. Sow the City’s mission is to empower communities to grow and live sustainably. Some of their initiatives include Growing Manchester and Thrive Moss Side – projects that aim to develop communities that grow their own food, understand nature and develop skills to repair what they have.

The Boiler House is one of the amazing projects they run. With an array of workshops, including the Men’s Shed and the Repair cafe, The Boiler House is the perfect place for Community RePaint Moss Side. As well as providing affordable paint to their local community, the scheme is a space to gain new skills. The scheme will be providing training and volunteering opportunities, alongside their other projects.

To pick up paint from Community RePaint Moss Side, you simply need to pop in and visit them during their opening hours. We would recommend calling in advance, as the amount of paint available fluctuates throughout the year.

Find all of the information on the scheme here.

Staff and volunteers from Community RePaint Hull & Humber have been collecting paint that would otherwise have gone for disposal and redistributed it to individuals, charities and community groups at affordable prices to help brighten homes and community spaces.

Community RePaint Hull & Humber was originally set up by Paul Clarke from Visibility in January 2012, who saw the opportunity to prevent the thousands of litres of paint that was going to waste in the area each year. In 2021, the scheme was taken over by Groundwork Hull, a federation of charities mobilising practical community action on poverty and the environment across the UK.

The scheme accepts and collects leftover paint from local retailers, paint manufacturers, decorators and businesses that is still useable. Doing so, they provide a more economical and sustainable option than sending it for disposal.

Since opening in 2012, Community RePaint Hull & Humber has redistributed more than 81,000 litres of paint to the local community, preventing this paint from going to waste. This has benefited over 33,000 people in the region, allowing residents and community organisations to brighten their spaces for an affordable price.

“Community RePaint Hull & Humber offers a simple, local solution to the problem of waste paint. By reusing leftover paint in our community, we can bring a splash of colour to the lives of those who need it the most and help to protect the planet by preventing perfectly good paint from being disposed of” said scheme manager Karen Tozer.

If you need paint to redecorate your home, or if you are a charity or community group in need of paint for a project, call Community RePaint Hull & Humber to find out more 07963 028 560 or visit them during their opening hours to purchase paint. They are based at 108a Westdock Avenue, Hull, HU3 4JR (look out for the colourful paint mural). Their opening times are Monday to Friday, 9am – 3pm.

If you are a trader, manufacturer or retailer with leftover paint you can contact the scheme to find out how they can help you.

Community RePaint Lowestoft joined the network in the summer of 2020, hosted by the Re-Utilise Resource Centre. They are a Scrapstore and Community RePaint scheme, as well as providing art and craft workshops for the disadvantaged. Since opening in July 2020, they have prevented over 1,700 litres of paint from going to waste.

The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce took notice of their incredible work and nominated them for three business awards, including Community Pride Award, New Business Award and lastly an Environmental Business Award, in which they were one of two finalists. Carol Dean, manager of Community RePaint Lowestoft said: “it was such an achievement to just be nominated, but to hear we were a finalist for the Environmental Award was incredible.”

Carol, along with her team and close friends and family, attended the 13th Lowestoft & Waveney Gala Business Awards and swapped their paint overalls for more accustomed attire for the evening. Just missing out on winning, the team were honoured to be a finalist, and are still seeing this as a huge achievement for the organistation.

Community RePaint Lowestoft has had a huge impact on its local area in a short space of time. Some of the amazing work they have done recently includes donating paint to the local Community Pantry, where anyone can get access to food for the week for as little and £3. They have also provided low-income tenants with free paint to decorate with, making their house feel like a home. The impact the scheme has had on the community has been huge, clearly recognised by the award ceremony. The team are planning much more for 2022.

A workshop for vulnerable adults run by Community RePaint Lowestoft. 

If you are looking for affordable paint in the Lowestoft area, you can find out more about the scheme and how to purchase paint from £2 a litre here.

Staff and volunteers from Community RePaint Swindon have been collecting paint that would otherwise have gone for disposal and redistributed it to individuals, charities and community groups at affordable prices, to help brighten homes and community spaces.

Olivia McCann, scheme manager, celebrating 21st anniversary

 

The scheme opened on November 24^th 1999, and in the past 21 years, has prevented more than 100,000 litres of paint from going to waste. Since its opening, the scheme has brightened the lives of over 79,000 people in Swindon, through individual and group sales. To celebrate, Community RePaint Swindon currently have 50% off all paint until the end of November 2021.

The scheme stocks both full and part-full tins of leftover paint, in a range of types and colours. The staff and volunteers at the scheme will help you find the perfect paint for your project.

Olivia McCann, scheme manager at Community RePaint Swindon

 

“The aim of celebrating our birthday is not only to mark this important milestone, but also to raise awareness of the scheme locally so more people can benefit,” said scheme manager Olivia McCann. “Community RePaint Swindon offers a simple, local solution to the problem of waste paint. By reusing leftover paint in our community, we can bring a splash of colour to the lives of those who need it the most and help to protect the planet, by preventing perfectly good paint from being disposed of.”

Staff and volunteers processing leftover paint, preventing it from going to waste

 

The scheme is run by Swindon Children’s Scrapstore, which is a registered charity, community resource centre and social enterprise, set up in 1985.

If you need paint to redecorate your home, or if you are a charity or community group in need of paint for a project, call Community RePaint Swindon to find out more on 01793 513982 or visit them during their opening hours to purchase paint. The scheme can be found at Unit 7, Bramble Close, Elgin Industrial Estate, Swindon, SN2 8DW, and is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm and Saturday, 10 am until 2 pm. They also have an online store, selling a selected stock of paint. Items are added daily, and they offer free delivery in Swindon on all orders over £30 – visit: www.store.scrapstore.co.uk.

If you have good quality, reusable leftover paint – whether you’re a householder, trader, manufacturer or retailer, get in touch with the scheme to find out how they can help you.

Paint area at Community RePaint Swindon

 

• Find affordable, leftover paint at your nearest Community RePaint scheme.
• Drop-off your reusable paint at your local drop-off point.

Cornelly & District Development Trust and Ystradgynlais Volunteer Centre, are now a part of the Community RePaint network. Both community organisations are dedicated to helping those in need within their communities.

Community RePaint Cornelly, located near Bridgend, is run by Cornelly & District Development Trust, a community regeneration charity that works with local people to improve community facilities and activities. They help volunteers gain valuable experience while benefiting the wider community with the work that they do. They also provide access to training, volunteering, work experience and employment opportunities.  The scheme opened at the beginning of August and is excited to be a part of the Community RePaint Network.

Ystradgynlais Volunteer Centre, located north of Swansea, is run by Ystradgynlais Volunteer Centre, which aims to improve the well-being of people in Ystradgynlais and neighbouring communities. They do this by operating a furniture reuse project, a food bank, and an outreach service. They are also involved in recruiting, placing and supporting volunteers, matching their skills to clients’ needs.

Ystradgynlais is very involved in reducing waste and promoting environmental activity and awareness. Now, apart from the Community RePaint Network, they will be able to stop usable paint from going to waste and redistribute it back into their community.

Both of them have paint available to individuals and groups at an affordable price.  To pick up paint from either of the schemes, you simply need to pop in and visit them during their opening hours. We would recommend calling in advance if making long journeys, as the amount of paint available will fluctuate throughout the year.

Bob, tell us a little bit about The Big Help Project, and why the organisation became a Community RePaint scheme?

The Big Help Project started in 2011 as a food bank, providing support for those in crisis. Over the last 10 years, more departments have opened so the project can provide wrap-around support. This includes the food club, baby basics, debt advice and Community RePaint Liverpool. All of these services aim to assist people to a better future.

We joined as Community RePaint Liverpool in 2016, with the aim to help families make their house feel like a home. Working alongside the local housing associations, the team create and deliver decorating boxes across the north west.  These boxes include ReColour remanufactured paint, decorating tools and an information sheet with decorating tips.

 

Can you tell us what your typical working day is like?

A typical day starts with Anna, the admin assistance, and myself responding to all new paint enquiries. This can be from housing associations, tenants and the general public. I also spend my mornings contacting other stakeholders to broaden the number of people we can help.

Richy, a member of the warehouse team, starts by making the decorating pack for the day and loading the van. Then from 10 o clock, we go out and deliver paint across the region for the next 4-5 hours. After that we head back, unload the van and start all over again the next morning.

 

What have been Community RePaint Liverpool’s biggest achievements thus far?

I would say our biggest achievement is the number of people we have been able to help. The decorating boxes we create, make a huge difference in peoples lives. In the last year, we have provided 1,364 decorating boxes, benefiting 3,273 tenants. When a family arrives in a new house with no means to decorate it, it doesn’t feel like their home. So this opportunity gives tenants the option to put their touch on the space, and that is special.

Do you have any painting tips that you can share with us?

Before you use a roller wrap it in masking tape and then pull it off. This will remove any debris and loose bits.

 

What’s next for Community RePaint Liverpool?

The Big Help Project will continue to provide food and support to those in need. Community RePaint Liverpool will continue to support local communities, as well as make a real difference to the environment, ensuring that no paint goes to waste. We want to continue expanding and supplying paint to other housing associations across the northwest region

 

Click here for further information on Community RePaint Liverpool and how to purchase affordable paint. You can also keep up to date with their latest news and stories via their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

Why not share this article with someone you know to help them save money and the environment!

As part of the network, staff and volunteers from Community RePaint Derby have been collecting paint that would otherwise have gone for disposal. They have redistributed it to individuals, charities, and community groups to help brighten homes and community spaces at an affordable price of just £2 per litre.

The scheme opened on 26 October 2000, and in the past 21 years has prevented more than 62,000 litres of leftover paint from going to waste. The majority of their paint comes from the Raynesway Recycling Centre where they collect paint that has been dropped off by local residents. The scheme also accepts paint locally from traders, retailers and paint manufacturers to prevent it from going to waste.

Since opening, the scheme has brightened the lives of over 200,000 people in Derby through individual and group sales. To celebrate, Community RePaint Derby are offering free registration to the Community RePaint Scheme throughout October.

In preparation for the anniversary, the scheme completed a renovation of the Play and Recycling Centre (PARC) in 2020. From replacing the old windows to painting the centre front, the site has gone through a whole set of works to brighten up the scheme. The centre includes a scrapstore, a craft shop, event space, games hire, and of course, the Community RePaint area. Despite being closed for renovations and numerous lockdowns in 2020, the scheme was still able to brighten the lives of over 7,500 people in Derby through individual and group sales of leftover paint.

Photos from the launch of Community RePaint Derby in 2000

 

“The aim of celebrating our birthday is not only to mark this important milestone, but also to raise awareness of the scheme locally so more people can benefit,” said scheme manager Maureen Burgoyne. “Community RePaint Derby offers a simple, local solution to the problem of waste paint. By reusing leftover paint in our community, we can bring a splash of colour and well-being to the lives of those who need it the most, and help to protect the planet by preventing perfectly good paint from being disposed of.”

If you need paint to redecorate your home, or if you are a charity or community group in need of paint for a project, contact Community RePaint Derby to find out more on 01332 299165, email parc_cc@btconnect.com or visit them during their opening hours to purchase paint. They are based at Play and Recycling Centre (PARC), 6-10 Werburgh Street, Derby, Derbyshire, DE22 3QG. The best day to visit is on a Tuesday when their whole paint range is available, and someone will be there to assist you.

If you are a householder and have leftover paint in your home that you would like to be reused, you can drop your paint off at the Raynesway Recycling Centre. If you are a trader, manufacturer or retailer with leftover paint, you can contact the scheme to find out how they can help you.

Drop off point at the Raynesway Recycling Centre in Derby

A lot has been happening these last few months at Community RePaint Liverpool. Run by The Big Help Project, not only have they been part of the Community RePaint network for 5 years, they are also celebrating 10 years since the Big Help Project started.

The Big Help Project main goal is to assist people on to a better future. As a charity, filled with amazing volunteers and dedicated staff, they do this by running multiple projects all aimed to assist those in need. This includes a food bank, food club, baby basics and their Community RePaint Scheme.

Community RePaint Liverpool has worked hard over the last 5 years and since joining the network in 2016, Community RePaint Liverpool has redistributed 79,822 litres of paint through selling leftover paint tins and ReColour. In 2020 alone, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, they redistributed 21,828 litres of leftover paint to those in need across Liverpool. Here’s to many more years of stoping paint waste, and bringing colour to the lives of those in need.

What better way to celebrate such a big milestone than jumping from a plane at 11,000 feet? Although a terrifying idea, 2 brave staff members who run the Community RePaint scheme, Bob and Dylan, did just that to raise money and awareness for The Big Help Project.  The daring pair, who normally spend their day running Community RePaint Liverpool, raised an incredible £900 – well done! See a video and photos below:

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Big Help Project (@thebighelpproject)

On a normal day, the team at Community RePaint Liverpool work on multiple projects to redistribute leftover paint at an affordable price. One of those projects is providing decorating boxes for individuals and families in need. The box includes ReColour remanufactured paint, decorating tools and a helpful info sheet full of decorating tips. With a selection of 18+ different colours of ReColour remanufactured paint to choose from, the boxes have helped hundreds of families make their houses feel like home.

If you need affordable paint in the Liverpool area, contact Community RePaint Liverpool.

Community RePaint Cheltenham is hosting a special event on 29 July 2021 in order to raise awareness of climate change. The date recognises Earth Overshoot Day, an internationally recognised day that marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year.

Our scheme in Cheltenham joined the network in 2005 and is hosted by Reclaim Furniture Reuse at Vision21. Their main aim is collect good quality unwanted furniture, and to sell and deliver it to people on low incomes. The Community RePaint scheme compliments this well, allowing them to also offer their customers a source of affordable paint.

The scheme is offering residents and community groups in Cheltenham free paint on a first come first serve basis at this one-time event. Community RePaint Cheltenham usually sell the paint at the affordable price of £2 per litre. The leftover paint is sourced from businesses, decorators, contractors and paint manufacturers who no longer need the paint but is still useable.

You can visit the scheme at Reclaim (part of Vision 21), 25b Lansdown Industrial Estate, Off Gloucester Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 8PL and will be open Thursday 29 July 2021 from 9:30am.

July 29th FREE PAINT (mainly interior wall)
Earth Overshoot Day – the day we run out of this year’s natural resources. Reclaim is giving paint on first come first served basis from 9:30am, 25b Lansdown Ind Estate #Cheltenham GL518PL
Community RePaint Cheltenham Borough Homes pic.twitter.com/5vHqKtja8f

— Vision 21 (@Vision21Glos) July 15, 2021