PPG has rolled out a nationwide recycling scheme in the Netherlands that invites professional painters to return used paint packaging from both Sigma Coatings and competing brands — a move the company says could accelerate circularity across the industry.

The company’s Sigma Coatings brand has partnered with waste logistics provider Fire-Off and packaging producer Dijkstra Plastics to roll out Sigma EcoCollect, a new system enabling painters to return used plastic and metal paint containers, including those from competing brands, for recycling.

The initiative is designed to help PPG increase the share of post-consumer recycled (PCR) material used in its packaging. More than 90 Sigma Coatings points of sale will accept scraped-empty containers, which will then be collected and processed for use in new Sigma Coatings packaging, forming a closed-loop recycling cycle, the company said in a release.

The programme follows a successful September 2024 pilot that not only increased the volume of returned packaging but also sparked more sustainability discussions between staff and customers. Building on the pilot’s momentum, Sigma EcoCollect will now extend to 32 PPG Sigma Service Centers and 61 Sigma Coatings wholesalers, with Fire-Off managing nationwide logistics and Dijkstra Plastics overseeing material processing.

Sigma EcoCollect also aligns with PPG’s broader Tommorow Included concept, which highlights the sustainability benefits of its architectural coatings portfolio and supports customers working toward their own environmental targets.

"This programme is a powerful step toward circularity,” said Petra Bijma, PPG brand manager, B2B Sigma Coatings Benelux, Architectural Coatings. “It aligns with PPG’s global sustainability targets, including reducing scope 3 emissions and increasing the use of recycled materials in packaging and limiting waste."

"Our customers are looking for ways to lower their environmental impact. This initiative not only supports their goals but also reinforces PPG’s leadership in sustainable innovation.”