Paint recycling scheme has been brightening city for 21 years
PLAY and Recycling Centre (PARC) are celebrating the 21st year of their Community RePaint scheme, having first opened their doors to paint reuse in 2000.
Staff and volunteers from Community RePaint Derby have been collecting paint that would otherwise have gone for disposal and redistributed it to individuals, charities, and community groups to help brighten homes and community spaces at prices of just £2 per litre.
The scheme opened on 26 October 2000 and in the past 21 years has prevented more than 62,000 litres of leftover paint from going to waste. The majority of their paint comes from the Raynesway Recycling Centre where they collect paint which has been dropped off by local residents.
The scheme also accepts paint locally from traders, retailers and paint manufacturers to prevent it from going to waste. Since opening, the scheme has brightened the lives of more than 200,000 people in Derby through individual and group sales.
To celebrate, Community RePaint Derby is offering free registration for the Derby Community RePaint scheme at the Play and Recycling Centre throughout October.
Community RePaint Derby is part of the UK-wide Community RePaint network, a network of paint reuse schemes working to solve the issue of the estimated 50 million litres of paint that go to waste in the UK each year.
In 2019, the schemes in the network collected more than 481,000 litres of paint from individuals, retailers, decorators, and manufacturers, redistributing over 365,000 litres of paint to individuals, families, community groups and charities, adding colour to the lives of more than 337,000 people.
“The aim of celebrating our birthday is not only to mark this important milestone but also to raise awareness of the scheme locally so more people can benefit,” said scheme manager Maureen Burgoyne.
“Community RePaint Derby offers a simple, local solution to the problem of waste paint. By reusing leftover paint in our community, we can bring a splash of colour and well-being to the lives of those who need it the most, and help to protect the planet by preventing perfectly good paint from being disposed of.”
The Community RePaint network manager, Martin Pearse, said: “Community RePaint Derby have done a fantastic job over the last 21 years.
“The celebrations provide a great opportunity to recognise all the hard work that has gone into making the scheme such a success and to reflect on all their achievements which have brightened community spaces and homes over the years.
“We are excited to continue supporting the scheme and look forward to seeing what they accomplish over the next 21 years and more.”
In preparation for the anniversary, the scheme completed a renovation of the Play and Recycling Centre (PARC) in 2020. From replacing the old windows to painting the centre front, the site has gone through a whole set of works to brighten up the scheme.
The centre includes a scrapstore, a craft shop, event space, games hire, and of course, the Community RePaint area. Despite being closed for renovations and numerous lockdowns in 2020, the scheme was still able to brighten the lives of more than 7,500 people in Derby through individual and group sales of leftover paint.
If you need paint to redecorate your home, or if you are a charity or community group in need of paint for a project, contact Community RePaint Derby to find out more on 01332 299165, email parc_cc@btconnect.com or visit them during their opening hours to purchase paint.
They are based at Play and Recycling Centre (PARC), 6-10 Werburgh Street, Derby, DE22 3QG. The best days to visit are on a Tuesday or Wednesday when their whole paint range is available, and someone will be there to assist you.
If you are a householder and have leftover paint in your home that you would like to be reused, you can drop your paint off at the Raynesway Recycling Centre. If you are a trader, manufacturer or retailer with leftover paint, you can contact the scheme to find out how they can help you.