Today, an emerging alternative to chemical solvents are eco-friendly paints. These use water-based solvents to reduce or eliminate the release of VOCs in indoor spaces. Plus, they're odour-free and have a significantly lower impact on the environment. These factors have been specifically targeted by Shedcare.co.uk as we look towards creating a more sustainable future.
SO WHAT’S THE PROBLEM WITH REGULAR PAINT?
While paint has come a long way since its lead-based and toxic gloss heydays, not all paint is created equal.
Paint products can have significant impacts on the environment throughout their lifecycle, including the release of environmentally harmful substances during manufacture; when paints are applied in the home; and when unused paint is disposed of or removed.
Paints can also contain a number of harmful substances - including toxic metals, planet-damaging solvents, carcinogenic additives (biocides, surfactants, defoamers), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which are harmful to health while contributing to global warming, and other raw materials that have a negative impact on the planet to obtain (such as titanium oxide).
So while home decor magazines merrily tell us to update our living spaces on a seasonal basis by slapping a fresh coat of paint on the walls, it pays to pause and choose those paint coverings wisely.
Genuine eco-friendly paints substitute the above nasties to reduce the dangers to human and planetary health. And the good news is that there are more of them in a bigger range of colour choices and finishes than ever before.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IF I WANT ECO-FRIENDLY PAINT?
Getting hold of more eco-friendly paint is pretty straightforward these days. Here at Shedcare.co.uk our products such as Royal Exterior, Stable Coat, and Wood Protection, are significantly lower in VOCs than the high street leading brands.
So why settle for mainstream and merely ‘ok’ on eco-credentials when you can get the real deal from smaller brands such as Shedcare.co.uk who have opted to put environmental and health considerations first in developing their greener, non-toxic paints?
Keep a look out for the following:
Ultra-low or zero VOCs - although true eco-friendly paints generally do not contain any intentionally added VOCs, some manufacturing processes could contain trace levels, even if they claim to have zero VOCs. The lower the VOCs the better - aim for less than 5g of VOC per litre.
Don’t forget other nasties - while mainstream brands offer low VOC paint (and don’t forget that ‘low’ just means relative to other paint).
A note on certification though - just because a product isn’t certified, doesn’t always mean it fails on environmental criteria. Applying for, and maintaining certification status can be an extremely expensive endeavour for small businesses in particular. So treat certification as a guide, but don’t automatically rule out a brand that lists its ingredients and takes a transparent approach.
If it makes general claims about being ‘natural’ and ‘non-toxic’ without backing it up however, avoid avoid, avoid….!