The latest recycling scheme brought in across Brighton and Hove has led to a thousand litres of paint being reused – enough to paint the Royal Pavilion.
Leftover paint can be left at the recycling centre off Old Shoreham Road in Hove.
It is then given free to charities, community groups and people on low incomes.
The organisers said that they were delighted by the popularity of the scheme which is run in partnership by Brighton and Hove City Council, Sussex Central YMCA and Veolia Environmental Services.
Councillor Pete West, the council’s cabinet member for sustainability, said: “People are handing in leftover and partly used tins of paint that would otherwise be thrown out.
“It’s a really practical, straightforward way of cutting waste and benefiting the local community at the same time.
“The paint is being put to good use for a range of different projects – from people painting their homes to the local Emmaus charity, which is using it to repaint old furniture to raise funds and support its work with the homeless.”
