Honourable Mitch Murphy, Minister of Technology and Environment today announced a one-day paint recovery collection for Island households. On Saturday, October 16, unused household latex and oil paint and stain will be accepted at five locations across Prince Edward Island.
Mr. Murphy made the announcement months in advance of the collection day to encourage Islanders to store unused paint from spring and summer projects. "Although the collection is months away, with the unofficial start of the summer season this weekend, we want to urge everyone to save unused household paint for the collection in October. Recovering these products will lessen the load on landfill sites while ridding Island homes and cottages of items that disposed of improperly have potential to cause environmental problems," said Mr. Murphy.
Unused oil and latex paint and stain from households will be accepted at five locations across the Island. Drop off sites will be set up in Souris, Montague, Charlottetown, Summerside, and Wellington. Automotive, marine and spray paint will not be accepted at the drop off sites. Times and locations of the drop off will be advertised closer to the collection day.
Other partners who will assist with the collection are the Bedeque Bay Environmental Management Association, Southeast Environmental Association, and the Island Waste Management Commission. Northumberland Paints of Charlottetown will recycle the collected paint. Financial assistance has also been received from the Shell Environmental Fund. The drop-off sites will be staffed by volunteers from all the sponsoring groups and Department of Technology and Environment staff will be present at all locations to receive the paint. All paint collected will be transported to Northumberland Paints for recycling. The Department of Technology and Environment will oversee the disposal of any unacceptable paint product that is collected.