Hazardous Waste & Empty 20L Drums
Do you have waste paint that you're wanting to dispose of? Empty 20L pails piling up in your workshop? Read on to discover what to do with your waste.
Waste Paint
Due to Government regulations there are limits on how much recycled paint can be held in any location at one time.
There is guidance available from WorkSafe outlining your requirements for handling Hazardous waste.
Linkup Paint Supplies does not currently offer a recycling programme. For commercial quantities you may need to use a waste disposal company.
We use the services from the team at Haz-Tech at Linkup Hamilton.
What is hazardous waste?
It is waste generated from manufacturing and industrial operations that is likely to be, or contain, at least one hazardous substance that is, explosive, flammable, oxidising, toxic or corrosive. In other words waste that comes from work involving a hazardous substance is likely to be hazardous.
Safe storage
Safe storage and use of hazardous substances is essential to safeguard the health of the countries environment and population.
Storage guidelines
When storing hazardous substances, make sure you:
- store substances in the correct, upright position in a dry place away from heat or flames
- keep products in the original containers with the lid on, in a cool place and out of reach of children and pets
- do not store incompatible substances next to each other (eg keep LPG cylinders away from petrol cans, and keep oxidising products away from any other hazardous substances)
- follow the instructions on the container or package
- use all of the product before purchasing more
- do not use more product than is recommended by the manufacturer
- clean up spills quickly so it does not spread into the environment - make sure you protect yourself around any spillage
Disposal
When you dispose of hazardous substances, make sure that you:
- do not mix the hazardous waste with your normal rubbish or pour it down the sink, stormwater drain or onto the ground
- read the disposal instructions on the container's label
- reuse or recycle when possible.
Safe disposal of commercial quantities of hazardous waste
For commercial quantities of hazardous waste, ie over 20kg or 20L, you need to contact the regional service providers in liquid and hazardous waste treatment, transportation and disposal about getting your waste collected.
Who can I contact?
Contact your local council to find out how to dispose of your waste paint.
- Auckland Council - hazardous waste disposal and storage
- Waikato Regional Council - Hazardous waste and disposal
- Waikato District Council - Hazardous waste disposal
- Tauranga City Council - Hazardous waste
- Wellington City Council - hazardous waste disposal and storage
- Hutt City Council - hazardous waste disposal
- Christchurch City Council - Ecodrops and hazardous waste
- Contact your local city or district council - Local Government NZ (all other areas)
You can also contact your local paint store to see if it has a paint recycling programme. Resene and Dulux both offer recycling programmes.
Linkup Paint Supplies does not currently offer a recycling programme.
What's Happening in NZ?
3R Group are leading a co-design project with the paint industry and its stakeholders to create a best practice product stewardship scheme.
3R has been contracted by New Zealand Paint Manufacturers' Association to lead the project. The working group is made up of a wide group of stakeholders to make sure they get a range of input into getting the scheme design right.
Read more on the 3R WebsiteEmpty 20L Drums
If you have any empty 20L plastic containers that you're needing to dispose of, we accept these back at Linkup Hamilton as long as they have been cleaned out completely before returning. We will not accept any containers that are dirty or have any remaining materials inside.
These drums are recycled for use again in the industry.
