Over 320 million litres of paint is sold in the UK every year, of which an estimated 50 million litres remains unused; stored in homes, sheds and garages or simply thrown away.
Last year, householders, traders and paint manufacturers donated 387,495 litres of paint to 65 Community RePaint schemes, which then distributed 218,364 litres to some 2,214 community groups and 17,296 individuals, providing 190 jobs and 1,274 volunteer and training opportunities.
Dulux has supported Community RePaint for the last 20 years and is helping the network to celebrate its 20thanniversary by producing two short films about paint re-use to promote the work of Community RePaint’s 67 schemes. The first of the films ‘A Tale of Two Cans’ is now available to view here: http://www.communityrepaint.org.uk/
Community RePaint schemes around the country will mark the occasion with events and initiatives to publicise the benefits of paint re-use, including a competition for community groups with a prize of up to 20 free litres of paint (that’s the equivalent of four BIG tins) for a project to improve the wellbeing of local people or the appearance of local places.
And people popping into participating schemes between 15 and 21 July 2013 will also get the chance to pick up fantastic freebies in honour of Community RePaint’s 20th anniversary including a superb decorating kit containing a paint tray, roller and Community RePaint-branded paint brushes. Plus, there are FREE car stickers and trolley tokens on offer in honour of Community RePaint’s 20th year.
“The aim of our 20th anniversary celebrations is to demonstrate how Community RePaint schemes can make a real difference to the lives of local people,” said Martin Pearse, Community RePaint Network Manager. “Community RePaint offers a simple solution to the problem of waste paint. By re-using it in our communities and within families on low incomes, we can bring a splash of colour to the lives of those who need it most, and help to protect the environment by preventing perfectly good paint from ending up in landfill.”
“Dulux is proud to sponsor this fantastic network and is grateful for all the work each scheme does to promote the potential of paint re-use,” said Paul Murgett, Environmental Projects Co-ordinator at Dulux.
If your community group needs paint, no matter how much or how little, get in touch with your local Community RePaint scheme. You can find out where your nearest scheme is by entering your postcode at www.communityrepaint.org.uk or call 0845 180 0501. Householders can also use this website to find out how to donate leftover part-full tins of paint to a local scheme.
Notes to Editors:
1. What is Community RePaint? Community RePaint schemes collect unwanted, surplus paint and re-distribute it to individuals, families and communities in need, improving the wellbeing of people and the appearance of places across the UK. In doing so Community RePaint provides social, environmental and economic benefits.
2. Who do Community RePaint schemes help? On our website you can find a number of case studies of the people and projects schemes have helped over the years. www.communityrepaint.org.uk/case-studies. You can also find some photos on our Flickr album.
3. 20 years of paint re-use: Community RePaint will celebrate its 20th anniversary during the week 15 – 21 July 2013. Activities to mark this milestone are planned for throughout the year and include competitions and giveaways at participating schemes.
4. Who runs Community RePaint? Community RePaint is managed by Resource Futures, an employee-owned, non-profit-distributing environmental consultancy based in Bristol. The Network has been sponsored by Dulux since its inception in 1993 and forms part of Dulux’s ongoing sustainability programme.
5. How to contact Community RePaint: www.communityrepaint.org.uk includes a postcode search, which you can use to locate the nearest point for finding or donating paint. Feel free to get in touch with your nearest schemes to see how they are taking part in the Anniversary celebrations. Alternatively, phone: 0845 180 0501 or email: repaint@resourcefutures.co.uk
