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.

What Products are Not Recyclable?


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

Where to Recycle

Key Program Info

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

Recycle NB oversees New Brunswick’s Paint Stewardship Program. The paint recycling program, in place since 2009, is industry-led and financed. Product Care Association operates the paint recycling program 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

Drop off empty paint containers at a paint collection depot. There are over 60 paint collection depots across New Brunswick. Find the one nearest you.
Boomerang paint and RONA ECO paint are made from recycled materials and are sold in New Brunswick.
There is no charge to recycle paint. Take it to the paint collection depot and it will be recycled. There are over 60 paint collection depots across New Brunswick. 
When you drop off paint at a collection depot, it is collected, combined with other paint and made into new paint of various colours.
Product Care Association manages the New Brunswick paint program. Recycle NB oversees the paint recycling program to ensure that 70% of all the paint collected is recycled into new paint products.