B&Q partners with British Coatings Federation on UK paint recycling trial in selected stores

B&Q is set to take part in a UK PaintCare trial in selected stores. The initiative is an industry led programme developed by the British Coatings Federation to address the UK’s leftover decorative paint challenge.

An estimated 34 million litres of waste decorative paint are generated each year in the UK and only 2% is currently recycled, with most being landfilled, incinerated or disposed of incorrectly.

As part of this trial, customers will be able to recycle leftover paint and tins at participating stores. Returned paint and tins will be transported to specialist facilities where it will be assessed for reuse, remanufacture or recycling into alternative products, while items that aren’t suitable, will be safely disposed.

The trial phase will help evaluate the practicalities of creating a functioning circular economy for decorative paint and packaging in the UK, which is central to PaintCare’s long term ambition to increase reuse, recycling and remanufacture rates to 75% by 2032 (from 2% in 2021). 

Other participating retailers include Brewers Decorator Centres, Dulux Decorator Centres and Johnstone’s Decorating Centres.

Samantha Dyer, Head of Responsible Business at B&Q, says: “We are pleased to participate in this early stage PaintCare trial and proud to support the British Coatings Federation in concept testing a national, industrywide approach to managing leftover paint.”

“By giving customers and trade professionals an easy and convenient way to return leftover paint and empty tins, we are helping them make more responsible choices without adding extra steps to their projects. We want sustainable disposal to feel completely effortless, supporting the development of a more circular approach to DIY waste and helping keep valuable materials in circulation for longer.”

Dr Steve Snaith, Director at PaintCare, says: “Every year, millions of litres of leftover paint are lost to landfill and incineration in the UK.”

“The PaintCare trials will help us understand how best to collect, remanufacture and recycle this valuable material and support a more circular future for decorative paint, and the support from B&Q and other leading retailers is key to us developing a model we can scale up and create an accessible national scheme, to help us achieve our ambition to increase reuse, recycling and remanufacture rates to 75 percent by 2032.”

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Green retail will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.