If you’ve been painting at home or renovating, chances are you’ve got leftover paint sitting in the shed. Keeping it indefinitely isn’t practical, and tossing it in the bin or down the drain is unsafe and unwise. For South Melbourne and Port Phillip residents, there are safe, simple, and eco-friendly ways to deal with old paint that won’t destroy your plumbing or yard.
Creative Reuse and DIY Projects
If the paint is still in good condition, consider using it for small jobs such as touch-ups, furniture updates, or craft projects. Advice from Bunnings suggests leftover paint can be a low-cost way to revamp planter boxes, pet kennels, or feature walls instead of letting it go to waste.
Donate or Share with the Community
Good quality paint is always in demand. You can offer it up on community groups, Facebook Marketplace, GumTree, or through Buy Nothing pages. Better Homes & Gardens highlights how community groups and neighbours are often quick to pick up free paint for their own projects, and who knows, you might make some friends along the way.
Drop-Off at Port Phillip Resource Recovery Centre
The most convenient option locally is the Port Phillip Resource Recovery Centre. Located at the corner of White and Boundary Streets in South Melbourne, residents can drop off up to 50 litres of paint per car or person per day. You’ll need proof of address when visiting, and the site is open weekdays and weekends with limited hours. This is the easiest local solution for safe paint disposal.
Recycle Through Paintback
South Melbourne is also serviced by Paintback, Australia’s national paint recycling scheme. Paintback accepts up to 100 litres of household paint per visit in containers of 20 litres or less. According to Dulux, packaging is recycled, solvent-based paint is turned into alternative energy, and water-based paint is processed into industrial by-products.
The Resource Recovery Centre in South Melbourne is a registered Paintback location, making it a one-stop option for residents.
Hazardous Waste and Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paints, thinners, and solvents are hazardous and must never be placed in household bins. Instead, take them to a Paintback site or one of Sustainability Victoria’s Detox Your Home events, which are scheduled across Melbourne to handle chemicals and dangerous waste products.
Avoid Kerbside and Hard Waste Collections
The council’s hard and green waste collection service does not accept paint. Leaving cans out on the kerb risks fines of around $660. Always use the recovery centre or hazardous waste services instead.
A Handy Reference Guide
| Paint Type | Best Option |
| Usable paint | Reuse for DIY or donate to community groups |
| Water-based paint | Drop off at the Port Phillip Resource Recovery Centre or Paintback site |
| Oil-based paint | Dispose through Paintback or Detox Your Home hazardous waste events |
| Dried leftovers | Better taken to a drop-off, not bins |
Final Word
For residents of South Melbourne and the wider Port Phillip area, the right way to handle old paint is straightforward: reuse or donate what you can, then drop off the rest at the Port Phillip Resource Recovery Centre, which doubles as a Paintback site. Hazardous paints should always go to specialist collection programs, and never into household bins. By following these steps, you’ll protect the environment, keep your home clutter-free, and avoid costly fines.
