Paintback gets the all-clear to extend funding levy until 2031

The levy funding the Paintback product stewardship scheme
will continue until 18 June 2031 after a ruling last month by the national
competition watchdog.

The levy on the wholesale sale of certain architectural and design paints will remain unchanged at 15c per litre levy (plus GST), the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission confirmed last month.

Paintback Ltd contracts with state, territory, and local
governments and waste service providers for the collection and safe disposal of
waste A&D paint, with trade and household consumers able to dispose of
waste paints at collection points across Australia at no cost.

The levy financing the scheme is imposed on A&D paint products supplied in containers between 1 and 20 litres.

Containers smaller than one litre do not attract a levy, however are still eligible for collection under the scheme.

In February, the Australian Local Government Association
(ALGA) made a submission to the ACCC supporting Paintback’s application for
re-authorisation.

“Local government is satisfied with the level and quality of
service that has been provided by PaintBack Ltd over the period that they have
been running the paint recycling program and are strongly in favour of the
current arrangement being maintained into the future,” the submission said.