What’s in your paint?
There’s nothing quite like a fresh coat of paint to refresh and transform a space. There’s also nothing quite like the acrid scent of paint off-gassing for days afterwards.
The toxicity of paint is a concern for all home-makers because it reduces air quality by way of released Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Hidden in the paint, these chemicals are emitted as gas and can be seriously deleterious to our health and the environment. More worryingly, VOCs can continue to create air pollution long after the paint has dried.
Thankfully, paint exists that doesn’t compromise our wellbeing, or that of the earth. There are manufacturers incorporating sustainable values, techniques, and ingredients in their products.
Bauwerk lime paints are made with clay, minerals and natural pigments. Lime paints are best suited to render, cement and brick surfaces, to which they lend a soft, chalky finish that refracts light.
Bauwerk paints are made using technology that is greenhouse gas neutral and non-polluting. Says Bronwyn Riedel of Bauwerk on their production ethics:
“(The paints) are made with 100% green power, leaving no environmentally damaging or toxic chemical footprint in their manufacture.”
They are completely devoted to the environment in every aspect of their operations, right down to making use of recyclable packaging. Bauwerk also considers the health of their employees.
“We do not offer certain colours like bright orange and fire engine red as they can only be made with cadmium, which is a dangerous heavy metal,” Bronwyn Riedel explains.
Unlike conventional paints, Bauwerk paint can be disposed of in normal household refuse. It doesn’t get much more eco-friendly than that.
There are some other green-minded paint manufactures in the market.
Ecolour makes zero VOC, water-based paint at their Byron Bay factory. Their range includes interior and exterior paints, as well as timber finishes. Ecolour has faith in the premium quality of their product: it also comes with a 10 year guarantee against flaking or peeling.
Resene has a broad range of low VOC and VOC-free paints and tints. They offer a service to dispose of unused or unwanted paint, the Resene PaintWise recycling programme.
What’s more, Resene’s Eco.Decorator network connects you with environmentally-focused contractors to complete the job for you. They go so far as to reuse the cardboard boxes used transporting paint to their ColorShops.
Dulux are making an effort to reduce environmental impact. Their products minimise VOCs and their Envirosolutions range of products are a responsible alternative to traditional painting clean-up processes.
Dulux is also a founding member of the Paintback scheme, which collects and treats waste paint and packaging. These responsible working practices result in reduction of noxious turpentine fumes.
Nowadays, painting is becoming less harmful for everyone involved. When the time comes to choose your paint, look to manufacturers who value your wellbeing and respect the environment.
While it is important to be aware of VOCs, the longevity and durability of paint is also a factor. Some longer lasting paints may contain slightly higher levels of VOCs, but they reap the additional benefit of longer stretches in between reapplication.
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