Reducing, reusing, and recycling is at the heart of upcycling and creating timeless interiors, and thus at the heart of Annie Sloan. We also recognise the importance of extending this ethos to making the recycling of our products as easy as possible. Keep reading to find out more about recycling your Annie Sloan products, paint tins, and packaging.

HOW TO DISPOSE OF PAINT TINS

Our tins are 100%, and infinitely, recyclable, meaning there’s no end to the amount of times they can be recycled. We think they’re rather beautiful though! Why not reuse them? From storing (of course!) paint brushes to plants, or pencils, pegs, and garden tools, there’s endless possibilities!

But, if you do decide not to hold onto your used tins, empty or dry metal paint tins can be recycled in your household recycling, or at your nearest recycling centre. Check information from your local council first.

Please note that if your tins do contain some leftover paint, it should be dry, and no more than 1cm to be accepted for recycling at most centres. Read more, here.

HOW TO REUSE PAINT

Recycling liquid paint is possible but it isn’t always easy. Use this handy recycling locator to find a liquid paint recycling point near you. Fortunately though, Chalk Paint™ by Annie Sloan paints almost every surface. Use leftover paint to give a tired kitchen chair a makeover, or perhaps brighten up a picture frame! Click here for one of our favourite small Chalk Paint™ projects from @thereclaimedheirloom.

Perhaps even give your Annie Sloan tins a lick of paint themselves! Simply paint in the Chalk Paint™ colour of your choice and use it as the perfect storage solution!

Or if you haven’t got a small Chalk Paint™ project of your own, you could donate your leftover paint to family or friends. Alternatively, consider contacting local businesses or schools to see if they might have a use for it. This is the perfect choice for leftover Wall Paint and Satin Paint. Your paint could go towards refreshing a local community centre or school, spreading the joy of colour in the process! Check for local opportunities near you.

HOW TO DISPOSE OF PAINT

If you can’t find a use for your leftover paint, remember that it’s easiest to dispose of once it has hardened. To harden paint, add sawdust, sand, or soil to the tin and leave the lid off until the paint becomes solid and dry. Pierce the paint to make sure it’s fully dry, before taking it to your local recycling centre for disposal.

None of the paints in the Annie Sloan range are solvent based. Solvent-based paints are considered ‘hazardous waste,’ and must be disposed of by a hazardous waste disposal service. Read more, here.

PAINT BRUSHES & ACCESSORIES

Our paint brushes and accessories are made to last and be reused for painting project after painting project. And the best way to ensure the long life of your Annie Sloan brushes is to care for them correctly. Clean them simply using water (there’s no need to use white spirit or solvent-based brush cleaners to remove our water-based paints!). Read more about caring for your brushes, here.

Once your paint brushes have reached the absolute end of their painting life, consider using them for household cleaning. They’d be perfect for reaching hard-to-get-to corners and crevices!

Our colour cards are made from FSC-accredited paper, and are fully recyclable in your household paper recycling once the paint swatches have been removed. Be sure to check information from your local council first.

BOXES & PACKAGING

Each and every one of your orders is hand picked and packed by our small team here at Annie Sloan HQ in Oxford.

Our unbleached boxes are made from 70% recycled materials. Once flattened, these are 100% recyclable. Our pulp mounds (used to secure your order!) are made from 100% recycled materials, and are also fully recyclable in your standard household recycling. Make sure to check your local recycling information for details.

We’re also committed to taking steps to improve our packaging, including making it 100% plastic-free in the near future. Look out for updates!

Lastly, to find out more about the positive environmental impact of Annie Sloan paints: