Paint wash water

If in doubt � Stop and Shout! Take the time to plan where materials are stored and have the right equipment and procedures in place to clean your brushes and rollers.

If you are paid to paint, your waste paint and wash water is “trade waste” and you should be using a commercial system to suit your needs, current options are:

(Click on the business name for further details)

  1. Contained wash system – contact:

    2. Almax Industries
    Dulux 0800 800 424
    Resene 0800 737 363
    RST environmental solutions 0800 425 655
    Wattyl 0800 WATTYL

  2. Trade waste Licence   - Contact your local council, in Christchurch: CCC tradewaste
  3. Clean up centre & wash water drop off point (available in Christchurch only) contact: Mainland Paints 03 3381312

Advice for solvent-based paints:

Please read the Guidlines for the management of lead based paint ( Management of Lead Based Paint).

Example clean up method:

  • Remove excess paint from brushes & equipment.
  • Use solvents to wash equipment (2 container method).
  • Seal containers and allow the first container at least 24 hours to settle.
  • Decant solvents from 1st into 2nd container, seal and keep for future use.
  • Allow sludge/solids in 1st container to dry out in a safe place and dispose in waste.
  • Contact a WasteMinz Operator to dispose of all used/surplus solvents.

Cans and containers

  • Steel paint cans are recyclable but must be clean and dry.
  • Plastic & metal containers (with the paint scraped out) are also recyclable – check with your transfer station or paint supplier to see if they will take them (Major paint suppliers have a take back system – as in store)
  • Empty aerosol cans may be recycled or disposed of as general rubbish.

Tips

  • Always use solvents in the open or a well-ventilated area, well away from drains, gutters and waterways.
  • Use the smallest container and the least amount of solvent you can.

*PLEASE DO NOT pour paint or paint wash water into gutters, drains or stormwater sumps.

It’s bad for the environment, kills fish & insects and you could be fined or taken to court.

IF YOU SEE ANYONE POURING PAINT OR WASH WATER INTO GUTTERS, DRAINS, RIVERS OR STREAMS PLEASE CALL THE POLLUTION HOTLINE 0800 76 55 88

Useful information:

Trade Painters brochure (3.5 MB)

Ezyclean Paint wash station (287 KB)


Open this link for registered liquid waste

handlers if you need paint wash water removed

from your site:


(e.g. no trade waste connection available or system is only a holding tank)


Liquid and Hazardous Waste for a list of code compliant operators who will provide you with a waste track receipt and ensure your waste is disposed of correctly.


For general waste disposal enquiries go to the WasteMINZ website: http://www.wasteminz.org.nz/
Or contact your local council:  
Christchurch Council
Waimakariri Council
Selwyn Council

Click image to enlarge

View Images