- A growing number of paint products are made from recycled paint and are independently certified for performance.
- Many paints now contain zero or low level volatile organic compounds (VOCsCompounds that evaporate easily (volatile) at room temperature and often have recognizable odor; primarily used in solvents; many are chlorinated hydrocarbons and some are carcinogenic (e.g. benzene, chloroform, and methyl ethyl ketone).). Reducing the VOC's in paint decreases the smells and off-gassing associated with painting and reduces the effect paint can have on indoor air quality.
- Less-toxic paints perform as well as standardA characteristic or set of characteristics for an item, generally accepted by the manufacturers and users of the item as a required characteristic for all such items. paints without using heavy metals or other toxic chemicals.
Whether recycled contentThe portion of a product that is made from materials diverted from the waste stream, usually stated as a percentage by weight., low-VOC, zero-VOC, or less toxic paints; alternatives to traditional paint are readily available and offer environmental and health benefits.
Waste Reduction
There are a number of ways to reduce paint waste. Before purchasingThe act and the function of responsibility for the acquisition of equipment, materials, supplies, and services. In a narrow sense, the term describes the process of buying. In a broader sense, the term describes determining the need, selecting the supplier, arriving at a fair and reasonable price and terms, preparing the contract or purchase order, and following up to ensure timely delivery. paint, measure the area to be painted. Talk with suppliers and read product information to determine the right amount of paint to purchase.
Several online resources are available to help calculate the amount of paint needed for a particular project, reguardless of the dimensions of the space.
Recycled Paint
Recycled paint is made from paint collected through public and private collection programs. Collected paints are screened for usability and quality. Virgin materials such as resins and colorants are added, and the products are tested before packaging and resale. Recycled paint contains 20-100% post-consumer contentMaterials collected for recycling from homes, retail stores, office buildings, etc., after they have completed their intended end use as consumer items. Post-consumer is part of the broader category of "recovered materials.".
There are two types of recycled-content paint: reprocessed and reblended. Although both types originate from the collection of leftover latex paint, there are important differences.
Reprocessed paint is mixed with virgin materials such as resins and colorants, and then extensively tested before packaging for resale. Reprocessed paint typically contains a minimum of 20% post-consumer content.
Reblended paint is re-mixed, screened, and packaged for distribution. Virgin raw materials such as resins and colorants may be added in small quantities. Minimal testing is applied to reblended paint. Typically, reblended paint contains anywhere from 80% to 100% post-consumer content.
Low-VOC Paint
All oil and many latex-based paints contain organic solvents to disperse and bind other paint components. These organic solvents are the major ingredients that contribute to VOC levels. Indeed, paints that are specifically marketed as "fast drying" contain even higher levels of these organic solvents.
Among the significant findings associated with VOCs is the formation of ground-level ozone and photochemical smog, which have harmful effects on human health. In response to such concerns, more government agencies are acting to limit VOC levels in common products such as architectural paints.
New federal regulations, impacting about 40% of the overall coatings market, and California requirements, impacting over 90% of paints in use, have led the industry to develop low-VOC coatings.
Less-toxic Paint
Concerns have arisen about health risks due to the severe effects of several heavy metals traditionally added to paint, including antimony, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, and mercury. Many other chemicals - including formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and methylene chloride - pose health risks to paint users and occupants of buildings. When buying paint, it is important to read the label or speak with the manufacturer because toxic chemicals can be added not only to petroleum-based but also water-based paints. Growing interest in worker and occupancy safety has led to an increasing number of safer alternative paint choices.
Figure 1: Allowable VOC levels (G/L)
| Paint Type | Interior | Exterior | Anti-corrosive |
| Flat | 50 | 100 | 250 |
| Non-Flat | 150 | 200 | 250 |
In meeting performance and durability specifications, recycled paint ranges from high to good in quality. Recycled paint is used on various surfaces including gypsum wallboard, wood and concrete. These products work particularly well as primers and block fillers, and also typically cost less. The spreading rate, durability, and hide - how well the product conceals a surface - are equal to virgin paint products. These features make recycled paint an attractive choice to architects and building owners.
Reprocessed paint is a high-grade recycled paint tested to meet performance and durability specifications. This product is used on various types of surfaces, from gypsum wallboard to concrete. The spreading rate, hide, and durability are equal to those of virgin paint.
Reblended paint is a good-grade paint often used for graffiti abatement. Color, hide, viscosity and quality vary by batch. Minimal testing is performed. Check with the vendor for information on custom tinting and type of tests performed on recycled paint.
Low-VOC and Less-toxic Paint
Green Seal is a nonprofit organization that certifies environmental products. Over 70 paint products meet Green Seal's criteria for hideability, wearability, scrubability, maximum VOC limits and prohibited heavy metals and toxic organic substances. For information on criteria or to obtain a list of Green Seal Certified paint products, see their website at: www.greenseal.org.
Recycled Paint
Nationally, more and more recycled paint producers have come online. In recent years, several producers have been certified by Green Seal for performance and product quality.
In Minnesota, there are several vendors who make recycled paint.
Low-VOC, Zero-VOC, and Less-toxic Paint
Low-VOC, Zero-VOC, and less-toxic paints are available from numerous local and national manufacturers.
Figure 2: metals and toxic substances to avoid
| Heavy metals | Toxic organic substances | ||
| Antimony | Acrolein | Formaldehyde | Naphthalene |
| Cadmium | Acrylonitrile | Isophorone | Phthalate esters |
| Hexavalent chromium | Benzene and ethylbenzene | Methyl ethyl ketone | Vinyl chloride |
| Lead | Butyl benzyl phthalate | Methyl isobutyl ketone | 1,1,1-trichloroethane |
| Mercury | 1,2-dichlorobenzene | Methylene chloride | Toluene |
Recycled paint costs an average of 30% less per gallon than virgin paints of comparable quality.
Low-VOC and Less-toxic Paint
In 1999, the U.S. Army conducted a study at its oldest active proving ground to identify and recommend environmentally preferable paints for use at the Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG). APG's study began with a list of 2,200 paints that were compared against Green Seal's environmental standards. The study identified brands in a variety of finishes from 13 manufacturers that cause less harm to the environment and cost an average of $1.76 less per gallon. For more information about APG's study and to view a listing of APG's recommended paints, download "Painting the Town Green: Aberdeen Proving Ground's Paint Pilot Project." Manufacturers are listed on pages 24-26.
The architectural and design community, facility managers, and other professionals can revise or amend specification language to include environmentally preferable paint in construction documents and painting specification guides. The following post-consumer content specifications are recommended by the State of Minnesota: Reprocessed Paint, 20% to 90%; Reblended Paint, 80% to 100%. Visit the web site for sample recycled-content paint specifications.
Low-VOC Paint
See Figure 1 in Law & Guidelines for Green Seal paint standards for maximum allowable VOC levels in architectural paint.
Less-toxic Paint
In order to be certified by Green Seal, paints must not contain the metals and toxic substances found in Figure 2 in Availability.
- P-734(5) Paint: Solvent-free (less toxic).
Other Vendors
For a list of paint products meeting Green Seal's criteria for hideability, wearability, scrubability, maximum VOC limits, and prohibited heavy metals and toxic organic substances, see the list at: www.greenseal.org.
The following are vendors of recycled-content paint:
Amazon Environmental, Inc.
Products: Reblended paints made from 100% post-consumer paint. Amazon SelectTM reprocessed products made with 80% to 90% post-consumer content.
Kelly-Moore E-CoatTM Recycled Paint Products
Products: Reblended paints made from 100% post-consumer paint. E-CoatTM reprocessed paint contains a minimum of 50% post-consumer paint. Most of Kelly-Moore's reprocessed paints contain 70% to 80% post-consumer content.
Hirshfield's Paint Mfg., Inc.
Products: RenewWallTM reprocessed latex paints made from a minimum of 20% post-consumer material. Most of Hirshfield's reprocessed paints have 30% to 90% post-consumer content.
Plant-Based Materials
Plant-based paints have advantages over oil-based paints in the following ways.
- Their manufacture avoids pollution from mining, processing, and disposing of petroleum and its by-products.
- They are primarily derived from renewable resources.
- They can be produced from domestically available sources, thus supporting rural economies.
- Workers benefit from the use of less-toxic products.
Some plant-based coatings, such as paint, may contain toxic chemicals. It is important to read the label or talk with the manufacturer about product ingredients.
Plant-based paints and coatings perform equal to or better than petroleum-based paints and coatings in many applications, but often cost more due to limited demand.
Green Seal, Paints (GS-11 and GS-43) Environmental Paint Standards for virgin and recycled paints, 2008 Directory of certified products
EPA, "Ground-level ozone information"
EPA, "Paints and Coatings"
EPA, "Volatile Organic Compounds"
Master Painters Institute, Green Certification
Product Stewardship Institute, "Environmental Standard for Recycled-content Latex Paint".
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide published by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board, 4/00. The SWMCB includes members from the Minnesota metropolitan counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington, with ex-officio members from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Last Revised July 29, 2008 - 5:25am