About
Paint collection and recycling services for
households and businesses
Cleanaway makes it easy to manage paint waste responsibly, with convenient collection and recycling services that help divert paint and packaging from landfill, protect the environment and recover valuable resources where possible.
Many of our public-access transfer stations across Australia allow residential customers to drop off unused paint, sealed waste paint or paint cans. Alternatively, other collection points can be located using Australia’s industry-led paint stewardship program, Paintback®.
For commercial painters, contractors and retailers dealing with large volumes of paint waste, we offer scheduled or on-demand collection direct from your site to help you reduce landfill costs and improve the sustainability of your operations.
Whether you’re tackling a home DIY project or a large-scale commercial operation, Cleanaway provides a simple, convenient and eco-friendly solution for managing your hazardous paint waste.
Liquid paints and related products
Includes unwanted or leftover water-based and oil-based paints, varnishes, primers, and associated liquid products such as thinners, solvents, and paint strippers.
Empty or residual paint containers
Covers paint tins, cans, and pails that are either completely empty or contain small amounts of leftover paint for proper processing and recycling.
Comprehensive
Why safe paint handling and disposal is important
Paint contains chemicals and heavy metals that can contaminate groundwater and pollute waterways if it’s thrown away in general waste or poured down the drain. This contamination can be harmful to human health, marine life and the environment.
Improper disposal also means losing the chance to recover valuable resources. Through proper disposal, metal and plastic paint containers can be recycled, and even the paint itself can be repurposed into products like alternative fuel once it’s been treated.
Service
Who can use our paint disposal services
We offer flexible paint disposal solutions for households and a range of commercial customers.
Households
Residents can drop off eligible leftover paint and containers at participating Paintback collection sites across Australia, which include council resource recovery centres and many of our transfer stations. There is no cost to drop off Paintback-approved items.
Commercial operators and painters
For businesses and professionals generating large volumes of waste paint, Cleanaway offers scheduled or on-demand collections, as well as bulk container options for ongoing disposal needs.
Retailers and trade centres
We help retail stores and trade suppliers manage unsaleable or damaged paint stock through compliant disposal or product destruction services.
Process
What we do with your paint waste
Smaller volumes of accepted paint waste can be dropped off at one of the many Paintback collection points across Australia. For businesses or sites with larger quantities of paint waste, Cleanaway provides on-site containers or bulk bins, which are then collected on a regular schedule or on demand to best suit your needs.
Once received, paint products and their containers are carefully sorted by type (such as water-based or solvent-based), checked for contamination and separated from any non-compliant materials. This step is essential to ensure only eligible products get sent for recycling, while any excluded materials are safely separated for alternative treatment or disposal.
All paint waste is transported safely to licensed processing facilities in line with strict environmental, safety and dangerous goods regulations. Cleanaway’s secure fleet provides full Chain of Custody tracking for commercial customers, offering peace of mind and assurance that your waste is managed responsibly.
At dedicated paint processing facilities, paint and packaging is processed with maximum resource recovery as the goal. Containers are crushed and recycled where possible, and paint can be treated and repurposed for use in industrial applications. Any remaining waste that cannot be recovered is safely treated or disposed of in accordance with regulations.
Details
Collection methods for commercial paint waste
Paint waste requires careful handling due to the chemical components that can be hazardous to people, animals and the environment. We provide safe and compliant collection methods for businesses of all sizes, tailored to the volume and type of your paint waste:
Mobile collection units
Ideal for small volumes of leftover paints and containers from trade sites, workshops, or retail stores.
Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and sealed drums
Used for large volumes of liquid or sludge paint waste, including solvent and water-based types.
Palletised cage collections
For mixed paint tins and aerosols, particularly suited to warehouses, depots and retail chains.
Output
What happens to your paint waste
Used and unwanted paint is one of the most common liquid wastes found in landfill. We’re working to change that by making it easy for households and businesses to dispose of their paint waste responsibly so more of it can be recovered and repurposed.
Here’s what happens to the paint waste we collect:
- Metal and plastic paint containers are crushed and can be recycled into new materials like road base or new packaging
- Water-based paint can be processed into alternative fuels or used in industrial applications
- Solvent-based paint may be blended into fuel for energy recovery in cement kilns and other approved processes
- Residual materials that cannot be recycled are safely treated or disposed of in licensed facilities
Our promise
Why choose Cleanaway
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A one-stop solution
We offer an expansive range of services, custom waste solutions and expert support to meet the waste management and resource recovery needs of Australian businesses, councils and industries of any size.
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Optimised waste management solutions
Our team of resource recovery professionals work closely with you to find the best waste management solution for your business, helping you achieve potential cost savings while working towards your sustainability goals.
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Streamlined services
We offer a total waste management solution, providing you with seamless customer service, one invoice and consistent, reliable services.
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Nationwide service you can count on
With a vast national network of specialised facilities and one of the largest waste collection fleets on Australian roads, we deliver efficient and reliable service across most of Australia.