Green Painting & Low VOC Paint

Green painting is one of the best and most environmentally conscious ways to paint. There are many aspects in painting which can be harmful to you and the environment from the paint itself to the ways in which the paint is disposed of. The good news is that there are new paints on the market (called low VOC paints) that do not contain the harmful materials often seen in conventional paints. Using these new paints along with educating yourself on safe painting techniques can really help contribute to a healthier environment.

Low VOC Paints

VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compound. VOC’s in paint are organic chemical compounds that have high enough vapor pressures under normal conditions to significantly vaporize and enter the atmosphere, causing smog in the air and other environmental problems. In fact, paints and finishes can release low level toxic emissions (caused by VOC’s) into the air for years after application.

Until recently, there we no low VOC paints on the market. New environmental regulations led to the development of low-VOC and zero-VOC paints and finishes. These new low VOC paints are durable, cost-effective and less harmful to the environment and people alike and are becoming more and more popular as consumers realize the tremendous benefits and high quality of the low VOC paints available. Keep in mind that low VOC paints still emit an odor until dry. So if you are looking for a no odor painting experience then consider a zero level VOC paint.

Low VOC Standards

Low VOC is not just for paint but also for stains and varnishes. The low VOC paints use water as a carrier instead of petroleum-based solvents which reduces the levels of harmful emissions. The certified coatings in the low VOC products also contain no, or very low levels, of heavy metals and formaldehyde. In order to meet EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards, paints and stains must not contain VOC’s in excess of 200 grams per litre and varnishes must not contain VOC’s in excess of 300 grams per liter. When you are looking for low VOC paint, look for a notation on the paint can which states that the paint is LEED certified which means that it contains low levels of VOC.

Green Painting Tips

Open up a window for some fresh air when you paint.
Choose latex and acrylic paint, as they contain the least amount of harmful solvents.
Solidify paint - If you have leftover paint, do not pour it down the drain. In some cases, the harmful chemicals in the paint could end up in the groundwater. A simple solution is to solidify the extra paint by removing the lid off a paint can. For other paint related liquids which don't solidify, such as thinners, consider adding kitty litter or shredded newspapers to absorb the liquid. These simple steps can really help prevent harm to the environment.
Carefully measure - To avoid over purchasing paint, make sure you measure the area to be painted as exact as you can.
Store paint cans upside down - If you do have extra paint that you will not be using then store them upside down. This prevents the paint from drying up which means you can use it again.
Scrape paint from your tools - Scrapping paint off from your tools before you wash them will help. You can scrape with a stir stick or wall scraper.
Wash paint tool sparingly - You do not need to wash out paint brushes every night during a project. You can simply cover them with any sort of plastic bag and they will stay fresh for the next day of painting.
Turpentine - Turpentine makes a great brush cleaner and is an environmentally friendly solvent. It is excellent for cleaning brushes used with oil-based paints, and for cleaning up small drips. An effective way to clean a brush with turpentine is to use a short glass jar with some turpentine and add a few drops of dish washing liquid. After cleaning the brush, rinse with water.
Taking the extra step for the environment - If your community has a waste depot then consider washing your brushed and tools in a large sealed container and then bring it to the waste depot.

Need help painting your home? Looking for a painter who will be sensitive to your green painting requests? Painting Networx will connect you with licensed, professional and reliable painters in your area who will be glad to give you a free quote on your painting project.