HOUSEHOLDERS in East Lancashire have until tomorrow (APRIL 11) to clear surplus paint from sheds, garages and cupboards as part of a nationwide recycling scheme run by Darwen-based Crown Paints.

The annual 'Kick Out The Can' offers the region's homeowners the chance to return old and unwanted paint to the Crown Decorating Centre at Drumstone Trade Park in Blackburn.

Sheds, cupboards and garages across the country are thought to hold around 54 million litres of unused paint - which Crown’s Kick Out The Can campaign aims to recycle and donate to community groups.

The scheme sees donated paint re-processed by social enterprise company Nimtech before distribution to community projects in partnership with regeneration charity Newground. Leftover plastic and metal paint containers will also be recycled.

Crown Paints, which is based in Hollins Road, Darwen, employs more than 1,200 people across the country.

Mark Lloyd, sustainability manager for Crown Decorating Centres, said: “Last year, Kick Out The Can was a huge success with the re-processed paint distributed to some excellent projects such as community gardens, youth centres and social housing apprenticeship schemes.

“Householders showed us that they valued the opportunity to clear out surplus paint while also making a positive contribution to communities across the country simply through the numbers who took part in the scheme - with 5,000 tins being brought back across the Crown Decorating Centres network.

“In addition, as a thank you to supporters of the scheme, anyone who brings in their unwanted paint will receive a 20 per cent discount voucher, which they can use in-store until July 31.”

Householders can return up to 10 containers of any decorative paint to their nearest Crown Decorating Centre on any single visit.

Paint must be in the original container with the lid securely attached and no foreign objects or substances in the cans. Aerosols and rusty cans cannot be accepted.

Tony Duckworth, president of the Blackburn and district Chamber of Trade, said: "I'm delighted about this initiative and it emphasises the opportunities for recycling products and should be whole-heartily supported.

"We are coming into DIY and shed-clearing season and there is no need to throw out these products because they can be used elsewhere."

For details of opening times at your local store visit: www.crowndecoratorcentre.co.uk Alternatively, text ‘CROWN’ to 83332 to have the details of your nearest store sent straight to your mobile.

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