LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Lexington Habitat for Humanity does so much more than just build homes.
At their Restore locations, they divert thousands of gallons of used paint from area landfills.
Back in 2008, Lexington Habitat launched the paint recycling program. They’re now getting ready to pour their thousandth barrel of recycled paint at the Restore on Southland Drive.
“As long as they've never been frozen, newer than 1994, in the original container and latex, you can drop it off at our Habitat for Humanity Restore,” said Lexington Habitat for Humanity Restore Development Manager Megan Meserve.
Habitat volunteers take your donations of leftover paint and make them new.
“We filter it twice at the top and once at the bottom, to make sure we're not getting any debris or anything in that paint. Then we mix it for quite a long time and then pour it and make a new color,” said Meserve.
The paint is then stocked on Restore shelves and sold for much cheaper than anything you'd find at a hardware store.
They’re making supplies affordable, and reducing waste.
“We think we've recycled probably 120,000 partially used gallons of paints and kept that out of the landfill, and made about 50,000 gallons of paint that we've sold in our Restores,” said Meserve.
Habitat employees said their Restores in general are a win-win; helping Habitat paint the town with hope every day.
“Anyone can shop or donate to us to give those items another life in the community while helping Habitat for Humanity at the same time,” said Meserve.
The paint recycling program wouldn’t be possible without volunteers - they even get to name the paint color they mix.
If you'd like to learn more about volunteering with Habitat for Humanity's Restore, click here.
