Why does Alberta need a paint recycling program?
It is estimated that about 30 million litres of paint is sold in Alberta each year. On average, 5 to 10 percent of this ends up as waste, which can pose environmental and health risks if disposed of improperly. Leftover paints are liquid waste and are difficult for consumers to dispose of properly. Oil-based paints contain combustible materials and, in some cases, hazardous components. Older paint may contain lead, mercury, and other heavy metals. In addition, Albertans purchase more than 2 million aerosols each year, disposing of over 350,000 of them in the HHW program along with over 1 million empty paint containers. These products can be recycled, reducing their impact on the environment.
