How Johnstone's & PaintCare Are Changing UK Paint Recycling
What is PaintCare?
We're proud to be part of the PaintCare regional trial, helping build a UK wide circular economy for leftover paint. Every year, 55 million litres of decorative paint are generated across the UK, with most ending up in landfill or hazardous waste streams. Through Paint Exchange, you can now bring ANY brand of leftover water based decorative paint — full or empty — to one of our three participating stores. We'll recycle both the paint and the cans, completely free of charge.
Before You Drop Off
Make Sure Your Paint Is
- In Its Original Container
- Has A Secure Lid
- Is Not Mixed With Other Products
- Not Leaking
The PaintCare Vision
Recycling your leftover paint and empty cans:
It's free, it's easy, and it's better for the environment.
See the PaintCare website for products accepted by the programme.
How Does It Work?
Participating Johnstones stores >Drop Off
Bring up 50L per day or 250L per week to Wolverhampton, Smethwick or Coventry. Any brand, and colour, full or empty.
We Sort It
Our teams safely store, sort and prepare your leftover paint and packaging for processing.
PaintCare Recycles
PaintCare's circular economy process recycles, reuses or remanufactures leftover paint — aiming to increase reuse from 2% today to 75% by 2032.
New Life for Paint
Leftover paint is reused in communities, turned into new paint, or processed into other materials.
Recyclability Included
We are on an ambitious journey to turn waste into value. By creating new products that use waste streams as valuable resources we give waste a new purpose as well as reduce our dependency on virgin materials.
More about Recyclability Included >Participating Johnstones Stores
Smethwick
4 Middlemore Rd, Smethwick B66 2DRWolverhampton
Cooper St, Wolverhampton WV2 2 · 82Coventry
63 Far Gosford St, Coventry CV1 5DZ
Accepted Products
You can return leftover decorative paint and empty paint cans (plastic or metal). Both water-based and solvent-based decorative paints are accepted from DIY customers and professional painters.
Empty Paint Cans
- Plastic cans
- Metal cans
Interior Wall Paint
- Matt emulsion
- Soft/mid-sheen emulsion
- Silk emulsion
- Eggshell
Interior Trim Paint
- Gloss
- Satin
- Undercoat
- Primers (wood, interior, universal, single-pack metal)
Interior Woodcare
- Varnish
- Satin
- Floor finishes
Exterior Woodcare
- Varnish
- Satin
- Decking paint/stain
- Fence paint (except creosote)
Exterior Paint
- Smooth masonry paint
- Textured masonry paint
- Masonry primers
- Wood paint (gloss, satin, primer)
Not Accepted Products
These products are not accepted and can't be returned through the PaintCare scheme.
Automotive & Marine
- Car paints
- Car refinish paints
- Marine paints
- Any 2-pack products
Industrial Paint
- Industrial maintenance paint
- Road/traffic marking paint
- Factory-applied (OEM) coatings
- Any aerosol
- Any 2-pack paint
Other Exterior Products
- Deck cleaners
- Roof repair products
- Asphalt, tar, bitumen products
- Creosote
Chemicals & Additives
- Paint thinners
- White spirit/mineral spirits
- Solvents
- Hardeners and restorers
Craft & Hobby
- Art and craft paints
- Aerosol products
Non-Paint Products
- Glues, epoxies, adhesives
- Fillers
- Caulk
- Preservatives
- Pesticides
- Tile adhesives
- Tints, colourants, resins
