How UNi-PRO is helping to look after the environment

At UNi-PRO we’re constantly seeking new ways to reduce our impact on the environment through better product and packaging development. That’s why we’re pleased to offer a range of products, which we’ve made from recycled materials as well as offer products to reduce landfill. And we’re minimising the amount of contaminated water released into our waterways.

While we can’t eliminate all possible waste from painting, we’ve produced many different products to help reduce the impact painting has on the environment.

RECYCLED PLASTIC PAINT TRAYS

UNi-PRO offer a range of black plastic paint trays all made from 100% recycled plastic, these trays are all solvent resistant. So, they can be used with Acrylic or Enamel paints, including marine coatings. These paint trays are available in a range of sizes – 100mm & 160mm mini trays, 180, 230mm & 270mm trays. In addition to these there’s our hooded 230 & 270mm trays also all made from 100% recycled plastic. Also, our handy paint caddie and handy paint pot consist completely of recycled plastic. By using 100% recycled plastic we’re reducing the impact on virgin plastic materials on the environment, while creating an everyday use for the recycled plastic after processing.

PAINT TRAY LINERS

To avoid paint being washed into waterways, UNi-PRO offer a range of super thin paint tray liners. Once you’ve finished painting just remove any excess paint with your brush back into the tin. Then the tray liner can be easily disposed of without any paint being washed into waterways. This not only reduces water contamination, it also eliminates water use after using a roller. Once finished the liner can simply be disposed of allowing you to reuse the plastic paint tray again. Available as singles and some 3 packs to suit most of our trays in a range of sizes – 100mm, 230mm Tray Liner 3 Pack, 230mm 100 Pack, 270mm 3 Pack, 270mm 100 Pack, 2.5L Metal Bucket Liner 3 Pack. And finally, there’s our mini roller bucket liner.

OIL EATER

The UNi-PRO Oil Eater Emergency Spill Cleaner’s another great way to clean up spills, which is made from Coconut husks and is environmentally friendly. The coconut husk’s treated with a fire retardant so that you can simply cover any paint or chemical spill. Then easily sweep up the product, once it’s absorbed the entire paint/chemical spill. This waste can then be disposed of without concern of the waste self-combusting (which can potentially happen if flammable liquids are disposed of in direct sunlight).

PACKAGING

Any newly developed product goes through a product feasibility process. This considers the manufacturing impact of a product, the packaging recyclability and any other compliance related requirements for our customers. For example, any FSC timber usage.

Currently we’re using the recycling logo on all new cardboard products. And we’re in the process of confirming the recyclability of our Oriented Polypropylene (OPP) plastic bags. Suitable to go into existing soft packaging recycling programs existing through local council kerbside collection programs.

We’re working to retrospectively review all existing product packaging. And where applicable we’re updating our packaging to reflect the recycling suitability of all product packaging. So, we can clearly show consumers not only its suitability for recycling, but specifically how/where to recycle.

UNi-PRO has been a signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) since its inception.

This industry body seeks to assist brands to reduce and minimise their total packaging footprint across the business.

On an ongoing basis we review processes and procedures across our business to identify ways we can reduce waste and consumption. For example, we recycle all plastic pallet wrap and all excess cardboard cartons; many shipper cartons are re-used to send goods to customers. We’ve upgraded all of our lighting across the business to LED to reduce power consumption, which is particularly beneficial in warehouse environments. We’ve also moved to a predominately paperless workplace to reduce paper wastage. We’re currently assessing the use of solar for our WA warehouse.

2025 APCO Action Plan Report 2024 APCO Action Plan Report 2023 APCO Action Plan Report

GETTING MORE THAN ONE USE FROM OUR UNI-PRO PRODUCTS

It’s important where possible to choose good quality paint brushes that can have multiple uses on multiple jobs, when cleaned correctly. By using a product several times this helps to minimise the amount of waste going to landfill.

While it’s dependent on the purpose of the paint brush and how the brush’s treated while being used. A paint brush can be used multiple times if cleaned and stored correctly. Most UNi-PRO brushes come with a reusable cardboard sleeve, allowing you to store your cleaned paint brush for another use. Many of our brushes also feature stainless steel ferrules, which are long lasting, allowing you to keep using the brush multiple times.

The UNi-PRO Genius Roller Covers are made from 100% Australian Sheepskin, sheepskin’s the most resilient material for a long life and superior pick up. Our sheepskin covers can be used many times over, if cleaned and stored properly.

If you can clean your tools thoroughly, you’ve a better chance of being able to use them again. By using UNi-PRO cleaning tools, they enable you to clean as much excess paint and water from your paint brushes and rollers as possible. The UNi-PRO cleaning products available – 716 Roller Squeezer, FF314 Pump action Brush and Roller cleaner as well as the 13300 Brush comb and Roller cleaner.

SAVING PAINT

Saving paint not only saves you money but also saves you washing paint down the drain into waterways.

UNi-PRO has a number of different paint storage and paint pouring options that’ll save you money and paint.

The UNi-PRO 1L and 4L no drip paint pourers double as a no drip paint pourer but you’re also able to keep the lid on the tin to store the paint.

There’s also a range of UNi-PRO paint buckets with lids. These make it easier to prevent a skin on top of your paint between coats and preventing spills. The UNi-PRO 3 Litre Ezy Pot has a lid that can be purchased separately. UNi-PRO also has the Handy Paint Pot range with lids, available in 1.2L, 3.3L and 4.6L bucket and lid combos. UNi-PRO also has a larger bucket range – E25000 25 Litre Bucket with lid and the E28000 with E28000L matching lid.

Another way that you can reduce the contamination of waterways and build of landfill is by recycling your paint tins through Paintback®.

Paintback® is taking unwanted paint and packaging’s colourful past to a brighter future of responsible disposal and innovative reuse.

Paintback® established in 2016, industry-led initiative designed to divert unwanted paint and packaging from ending up in landfill and vital waterways.

Most importantly, Paintback® is driven by the Australian paint industry and the major companies that supply around 90% of all the architectural and decorative (A&D) paint sold in Australia. The founding members of Paintback® are Dulux, Haymes, PPG, Resene and Wattyl.

Paintback® is an independent not-for-profit organisation which is funded through a 15 cents plus GST per litre levy on eligible products*, between 1 litre and 20 litres inclusive.

Along with disposing of waste paint responsibly, Paintback® is committed to researching new ways to repurpose unwanted paint materials.

Paintback® is the way to:

• Responsibly deal with waste paint after painting
• Declutter your garage, shed or under the house of old paint containers
• Recycle and reduce waste going to landfill
• Avoid landfill fees that may apply to waste paint

Paintback® continues to establish collection points all over Australia, with presence in each State and Territory.

Click here to find your nearest drop-off location or event, or call 1300 390 380 for more information.