Paint is one of the most common causes of pollution in our waterways and can destroy habitats, kill fish, insects and plants.

It ends up in our streams, the lake and sea when people wash brushes and equipment in or near outside (stormwater) drains. Never wash your painting equipment where the water can run into an outside drain!

If you are decorating this spring, wash water-based painting equipment in an inside sink so that the dirty water goes via the sewer to the treatment plant, or wash it on the grass, away from drains and subsoil drainage, where it can soak safely into the ground.

If you are using oil-based paint, wash equipment in a container of turpentine, allow the washings to settle and strain out the turpentine for reuse.

Let the solids dry in the container, seal it and dispose of it safely.

There are three ways you can dispose of paint safely:

• Drop off unwanted paint or paint packaging at the Resene ColorShop in Croftfield Lane, Wairau Park any time during opening hours.
• Put water-based paint solids in a container to dry, seal it and put out with your regular rubbish collection.
• Find out when and where the next HazMoblie collection is by visiting www.hazmobile.govt.nz

Remember: Outside drains only drain rain!