New recycling system transforms paint cans into reusable plastic

Revolutionary cleaning tech turns old paint cans into fresh packaging

A new cleaning system is improving the recycling of paint containers, turning old cans into fresh packaging. Developed by Amcor and Paint360, the technology removes leftover paint more effectively, allowing the plastic to be reused in new products. The initiative aims to create a fully circular process for hard-to-recycle materials. The project begins with emptied paint cans, which are cleaned using Paint360’s advanced system. This method ensures a higher standard of recycled plastic by thoroughly removing residual paint. Once processed, the shredded material is sent to Amcor’s Circular Polymers facility in Leamington Spa for reprocessing.

New paint cans made from this recycled plastic are then manufactured at Amcor’s Oakham factory. The closed-loop system is backed by the British Coating Federation’s PaintCare programme, which targets a 75% reuse or remanufacturing rate for leftover decorative paint by 2031. Mark Roberts, Amcor’s director of materials innovation, highlighted that the project successfully achieves circularity for difficult-to-recycle paint containers.

In parallel, Amcor has supported other sustainability efforts. The company helped Flügger integrate 50% post-consumer recycled plastic into its paint containers, meeting standards like the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. Meanwhile, Henkel collaborated with Pirlo and Thyssenkrupp Rasselstein to introduce CO2-reduced steel tinplate cans for contact adhesives, cutting emissions by 62%. The improved cleaning system allows more paint cans to be recycled into high-quality packaging. The recycled plastic is already being used in new cans, reducing waste and supporting long-term sustainability goals. The initiative demonstrates how industry partnerships can turn challenging waste streams into reusable resources.