What can be returned? 

The scheme is designed for leftover decorative paint and empty paint cans plastic or metal. 

The scheme accepts decorative water-based and solvent-based paint from both consumers (DIY) and professional painters (Trade). 

Any paint returned must be in its original packaging, and the labels legible, below are the examples of what can be accepted.

Accepted Products

All empty standard paint cans  

  • Plastic  
  • Metal  

Interior Wall Paints 

  • Matt Emulsion – All quality – Non-hazardous and hazardous (Typically water-based) 
  • Soft/mid-sheen emulsion – Non-hazardous and hazardous (Typically water-based) 
  • Silk Emulsion – All quality – Non-hazardous and hazardous 
  • Eggshell – Non-hazardous and hazardous 

Interior trim products 

  • Gloss Non-hazardous and hazardous  
  • Satin non-hazardous and hazardous 
  • Undercoat non-hazardous and hazardous 

Primers (non-hazardous and hazardous) 

  • Wood and universal 
  • Interior wall primers 
  • Metal primers (single pack only) 

Exterior  

  • Smooth non-hazardous and hazardous  
  • Textured non-hazardous and hazardous 
  • Masonry primers 
  • Wood paint – non-hazardous, and hazardous
  • Gloss, satin, undercoat 

Woodcare Interior 

  • Varnish – non-hazardous and hazardous 
  • Satin – non-hazardous and hazardous 
  • Floor – non-hazardous and hazardous 

Woodcare Exterior 

  • Varnish – non-hazardous and hazardous 
  • Satin – non-hazardous and hazardous 
  • Decking  
  • Fence Paint (Not Creosote) 

 

What cannot be returned? 

Materials that are not accepted are considered “non-compliant” and will not be eligible to be returned through the PaintCare Scheme. 

Not accepted 

Marine & Motor Industry Paints  

  • Car Paints 
  • Car Refinish paints 
  • Marine Paints 
  • All 2-pack paints 

Industrial Paints  

  • Industrial Maintenance paints 
  • Road marking paints incl. car parks, traffic marking paint 
  • Original Equipment Manufacturer (factory application) paints and finishes  
  • All 2-pack paints 
  • All Aerosol paints  
  • Paint additives, colourants, tints, resins 

Industrial Non-Paint Products  

  • Paint thinners, mineral spirits, white spirit, solvents 
  • Hardeners/Restorers  

Hobby DIY products  

  • Art and craft paints 
  • All Aerosol paints 

Non-paint Products  

  • Paint thinners, mineral spirits, white spirit, solvents 
  • Caulk, epoxies, glues, adhesives 
  • Preservatives 
  • Fillers  
  • Pesticides  
  • Tile Adhesives  

Exterior Non-Paint Products 

  • Deck cleaners 
  • Roof patch and repair 
  • Asphalt, tar, and bitumen-based products
  • Creosote