P.E.I. launches paint recycling

A paint recycling program in use in much of Canada has come to P.E.I.

'There's always greenhouse gas savings, water pollution savings, air pollution savings.' Jordan Best, Product Care

For years, Islanders have been asked to drop off used paint at Waste Watch depots. Until now,that paintended up incinerated or in a landfill. The Product Care program will see that paint recycled.

"The paint is sorted by colour, and will be sold to paint companies who will turn those products back into new paint," said program coordinator Jordan Best.

"There's always greenhouse gas savings, water pollution savings, air pollution savings."

The non-profit program is funded by paint distributors, manufacturers and retailers. Through the province's Environmental Protection Act, these groups will be forced to pay a small fee for each paint purchase, from 20 cents to $1.50.

With P.E.I. on board, Product Care is now operating in every province except Alberta, Quebec and Ontario. Those provinces run similar, independent programs.

P.E.I. Environment Minister Janice Sherry said the Island will recycle a significant quantity of paint.

"There's an estimated number of about one million gallons [four million litres] of paint gets sold every year on Prince Edward Island, so it would be a substantial amount," said Sherry.

The program will accept most kinds of paints, but not automotive, craft paints, or industrial paints and finishes.

It's not clear at this point whether the retailers will pass on the cost of the program to customers.