Need free paint? There’s a program for that, and you can see the results in Artist-in-Residence Alex Neff’s brand new mural at the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot.
The mural, located directly to the right when you drive in the Depot’s main parking lot, depicts a nature scene based on Ridge Meadows Recycling Society’s logo – with trees, the Fraser River, and the Golden Ears mountains, animals, and more. It was painted by Depot staff members using reclaimed paint from the PaintShare program.
“The Maple Ridge Recycling Depot is such a hub for our community,” states Alex Neff, “It is a place that offers many ways of recycling, repurposing, and is always expanding the number of items that can be accepted. Turning the Society’s logo into a mural gave me a chance to meet and highlight the people behind the recycling process and showcase nature – the reason why we are all working together for a cleaner environment.”
PaintShare is a program where leftover cans of paint in good condition dropped off at the Depot are diverted to a special area where residents who need extra paint can fill out a waiver form and pick it up for free. The program is run by ProductCare, a non-profit organization responsible for recycling paint and other items throughout BC.
“Most residents know we recycle paint, but they may not know we also have it available for reuse,” says Alda Nicmans, Executive Director of Ridge Meadows Recycling Society, “We are excited to work with Alex to give the PaintShare program a higher profile at the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot. Anyone who wants free paint for a fence, wall, or craft project and isn’t too picky about the type or colour now knows where to pick it up – and may be inspired by the artwork at the same time.”
There is no guarantee for the condition of the paint or availability of certain colours – paint is shared on an as-is, as available basis. Residents wanting to take part in the program must fill out a form at the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot with their name and contact information and will receive a liability waiver sticker for the paint. There is no limit to the amount of paint an individual or organization can pick up. Latex paint cans ONLY – no aerosol or lead-based paint. Once the paint is used up or no longer needed, residents are required to return the original paint can, along with any unused paint, back to the Depot.
According to ProductCare, “Sharing leftovers is cost-effective, energy efficient, and puts paint where it belongs – on buildings, walls, and in the hands of aspiring artists – and diverts it away from our sewers, dumps, and landfills” (https://www.productcare.org/products/paintshare/).
