Paint

Paint

Why Recycle Paint

Waste paint is recycled into new paint products, shared through the paint exchange program, or recovered for energy. On a yearly basis, New Brunswickers recycle approximately 240,000 litres of paint and 77 tonnes of metal and plastic containers.

Where to Recycle

Key Program Info

Paint containers
Paint Products Accepted:
Products must be in original container with original label intact. All containers must be tightly sealed. Maximum Container Size 25 Litres.

  • Interior and exterior: water-based (e.g. latex, acrylic) and oil-based (e.g. alkyd, enamel) consumer paint
  • Deck and floor coating (including elastomeric)
  • Varnish and urethane (single-component)
  • Concrete and masonry paint
  • Drywall paint
  • Undercoats and primers (e.g. metal, wood, etc.)
  • Stucco paint
  • Marine paint (unless registered under Pest Control Products Act)
  • Wood finishing oil
  • Melamine, metal and anti-rust paint, stain and shellac
  • Wood preservatives (unless registered under Pest Control Act)
  • Swimming pool paint (single-component)
  • Stain blocking paint
  • Textured paint
  • Block filler
  • Wood, masonry, driveway sealer or water repellent (non-tar based or bitumen based)

Paint Aerosols
Maximum container size is 660 grams or 24 ounces. All paint aerosols are accepted.

  • Consumer
  • Industrial
  • Automotive

For more information about what products are recyclable, please visit www.productcare.org

Paint Products Not Accepted

  • Unidentifiable or unlabelled containers
  • Brushes, rags and rollers
  • Paint in glass containers
  • Improperly sealed paint containers
  • Paint containers with poor integrity (e.g. badly rusted or leaking cans)
  • Bulging containers
  • Industrial paints & finishes (e.g. baked-on, heat-resistant etc.)
  • Paints or wood preservatives that are registered as a pesticide under the Pest Control Products Act (has a P.C.P. Registration number on label)
  • Craft paint (non-aerosol)
  • Automotive paint (non-aerosol)
  • Two-part or component paints containing catalyst or activator
  • Roof patch or repair
  • Tar or tar/bitumen-based products
  • Traffic or line marking paint
  • Quick drying paint
  • Resins
  • Paint thinner, mineral spirits or solvents
  • Deck cleaners
  • Colorants and Tints
  • Caulking compound, epoxies, glues or adhesives
  • Other household chemicals
A stewardship plan shall apply to the manufacture, storage, collection, transportation, processing or other handling of paint that is sold, offered for sale or distributed within the Province. For more details, please see the approved stewardship plan, which expires on December 31, 2025.

About the Program

In 2009, the provincial government established the paint stewardship program as New Brunswick's first extended producer responsibility program. As the agency responsible for designated materials in New Brunswick, Recycle NB oversees the paint stewardship program. The Product Care Association operates the paint stewardship plan on behalf of the paint industry. With more than 60 recycling depots across the province, it is easy to recycle leftover paint products and containers.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is free to drop off leftover paint at collection depots.
Yes. You can drop off empty paint containers at a paint collection depot.
When you drop off paint at a collection depot, it is collected and the paint quality is measured. Over 70% of the paint returned through the program is high-quality and is combined with other paint to make new paint of various colours. Low-quality paint may be used in energy production or disposed of in secure landfills. All paint containers are recycled into new products.
Yes. Boomerang paint and RONA ECO paint are made from recycled materials and are sold in New Brunswick.
The Product Care Association of Canada manages the New Brunswick paint program on behalf of the paint industry in New Brunswick.