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Kimbriki is proud to be a drop-off location for Paintback, an industry-led initiative helping divert unwanted paint and packaging from landfill and waterways. When paint is disposed of incorrectly in general waste or poured down drains, the chemicals and heavy metals it contains can contaminate groundwater and pollute waterways, posing risks to human health, marine life and the environment.

Established in 2016, Paintback is a voluntary national scheme operating across Australia. Since its inception, more than 65 million kilograms of unwanted paint and packaging have been collected and treated. Through responsible recovery processes, metal and plastic paint containers can be recycled, while treated paint can be repurposed into products such as alternative fuel.

Paintback is supported by the Australian paint industry, including major suppliers responsible for around 90% of the architectural and decorative paint sold in Australia. Founding members include Dulux, Haymes, PPG, Resene and Wattyl.

As an independent not-for-profit organisation, Paintback is funded through a levy of 15 cents plus GST per litre on eligible paint products between 1 litre and 20 litres. In addition to providing a safe disposal solution for unwanted paint, Paintback is committed to researching innovative ways to repurpose paint materials and support the development of a circular economy.

Turning Unwanted Paint into Energy

What happens to the paint and packaging collected by Paintback?

STEP ONE
DIY renovators and trade painters can drop off unwanted paint and packaging at a Paintback collection site such as Kimbriki. Paintback accepts up to 100 litres per visit, with containers no larger than 20 litres each.

Please CLICK HERE to view all Paintback drop-off locations.

STEP TWO
The unwanted paint and packaging are safely stored at the collection site until they are collected by Paintback.

STEP THREE
Paintback transports the materials to a treatment facility where the paint and packaging are separated for processing.

STEP FOUR
Subject to contamination levels, metal and plastic containers are recycled. Solvent-based paint is processed into an alternative energy source, while water is separated from acrylic paint and the remaining by-product is reused in a range of industrial applications, significantly reducing landfill.

STEP FIVE
Paintback’s research and development program continues to explore innovative recovery solutions, with the goal of achieving up to 90% diversion from landfill and moving further up the waste hierarchy toward a circular economy.