UK DIY News
BCF Wins Best Sustainability Initiative for PaintCare Award
The British Coatings Federation (BCF) has won the Best Sustainability Initiative award at the 2026 Memcom Excellence Awards for PaintCare, its industry-led programme to create a circular economy for leftover decorative paint in the UK.
The award was presented at the Memcom Excellence Awards ceremony at the InterContinental London Park Lane on Thursday 24th September. The awards celebrate innovation, creativity and impact across membership organisations, trade associations, charities and the wider not-for-profit sector.
BCF was also highly commended in the Best Trade Association category, recognising the Federation’s wider work on behalf of the UK coatings industry.
Around 34 million litres of decorative paint are leftover in the UK each year, yet only 2% is currently reused or recycled. Most enters the domestic waste stream and is landfilled or incinerated, creating avoidable environmental impacts and significant costs for local authorities.
Led by BCF and developed alongside decorative paint manufacturers, PaintCare is a voluntary national product stewardship scheme through which consumers and professional painters can return leftover paint to participating household waste recycling centres, retailers and merchants. Suitable paint can then be reused or remanufactured, with other material directed into alternative recycling routes wherever possible.
PaintCare’s ambition is to increase the proportion of leftover paint reused, remanufactured or recycled to 75% by 2032, supported by a convenient national collection network and stronger markets for remanufactured paint.
The judges described PaintCare as ‘a standout, ambitious and collaborative initiative with strong potential for national impact’.
Tom Bowtell, CEO of the British Coatings Federation, said: “We are delighted that PaintCare has been recognised as the Best Sustainability Initiative at the 2026 Memcom Excellence Awards. This award reflects the commitment and collaboration of our members and partners, who are helping us demonstrate how a practical, industry-led approach can keep valuable paint resources in use for longer.”
“The recognition comes at an important point for the programme. Following this year’s regional trial, we are continuing to work with Government, local authorities, retailers, manufacturers and the wider supply chain to build the conditions needed for a viable national scheme.”
Ben McClelland, Operations Manager for PaintCare, commented: “Winning the Memcom Award for Best Sustainability Initiative is fantastic recognition for PaintCare. Thank you to everyone who has contributed: our trial partners Johnstone’s Decorating Centres, Dulux Decorator Centres, Brewers Decorating Centres and B&Q, who made it possible and to the PaintCare Board for their continued guidance, support and belief in our mission.”
The award provides further external recognition of PaintCare’s potential to transform the way leftover paint is managed in the UK, reduce waste and support a more circular coatings industry.
Source : BCF
Image : The BCF and PaintCare team at the 2026 Memcom Excellence Awards
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