I pick the most eco-friendly paints I can find, since New York apartments have enough bad things already in the air — and because I don't want to inhale a bunch of chemicals. The paint's smaller footprint to the environment is just a nice, sugary bonus in my book. I've never understood choosing paints based on price. A gallon of paint will cost you anywhere from $25 to $45 in most stores. I'd say indoor air quality and not having to gag from the smell is worth an extra twenty bucks — and with paint, you do get what you pay for. The cheaper the paint = the cheaper ingredients used in the paint.
When we move into our new rental, if we're allowed to paint (here's hoping), I know for sure I'll be using Benjamin Moore's new Natura paint. It's a no-brainer for me. I love Benjamin Moore's color palette + I want a paint with absolutely no VOCs (the best you can get.)
I talked to Lou Manfredini about the greening of paints and the difference between low and zero VOC paints. It's super confusing with some paint labels — some say zero-VOC but VOCs are added in the color tinting process. Lou is many things: Ace Hardware spokesman + owner of a Chicago Ace store, Today Show contributor, the fix-it guy behind HouseSmarts, and a homebuilder. I know him as the guy I ask hard home questions because he's honest, super knowledgeable — and always right (Lou tipped me off to Fresh Wave a year ago.)
Here's the scoop from Lou:
+ With interior paints, most paints have a low level of VOCs (volatile organic compounds.) The VOCs in paint are most potent when you're applying paint and as it dries. Once paint has dried and cured, the paint won’t off-gas as much.
{photograph by massdistraction}
+ There’s a difference between being green in chemical makeup and the carbon footprint of the paint. In the chemical makeup of the paint: not only the base is no VOC but the tint is also zero-VOC. Natura is a new line that is a zero-VOC paint by Benjamin Moore. Natura can be tinted to just about any color, and the tint does not add any VOCs. The harmful chemicals that are in traditional paints are not in this paint. [Lou's super familiar with Natura, since Benjamin Moore paints are sold at Ace Hardware stores now, too.] Another manufacturer to check out is Yolo paint, which is also zero-VOC. Their paints are all pre-mixed colors — since their paints come pre-mixed, Yolo can control the tinting without adding VOCs to the formula.
It's not just the chemicals in
the bucket, but how does the company power its plant and truck the paint. Yolo's manufacturing is based in Texas— so if you’re in New York, there's a lot of energy used to
truck up that paint. Benjamin Moore has manufacturing
companies around the country to reach different areas, so there's less of
a carbon footprint.
+ It's easy to find low-VOC paint now. Many low-VOC paints are zero-VOC in their base, but once you add the tint, it adds a low level of VOCs. No-VOC paints have been around for awhile, but they were terrible paints before — didn't go on well. They've figured out the technology to make it work.
{photograph by maya the bee}
+ green paint supplies: look for biodegradable drop cloths (made with corn plastic) in your paint store — Perf Go Green is one brand. Otherwise standard plastic drop cloths take many, many years to break down in the landfill. Another tip from Lou: invest in good paintbrushes and take good care of them — your brushes will last for 20 years.
{photograph by mark strozier}
+ greenest way to dispose of paint: there are programs to recycle your unused paint — many Ace stores participate in paint disposal. Use a little dish soap for cleaning the paintbrush and roller in the sink, to help break it down. Also check out Danny Seo's post on eco painting tips.
After talking to Lou and researching around, these are my top three eco-friendly paints:
3. Mythic Paint
*One big topic I haven't covered here is milk paint — which is a super green paint choice. I'm finding out more on milk paint for a separate post. One of my good friends (hi, Chris!) works with milk paints on a daily basis for furniture restoration, so she's going to be my guide into the world of powdered paint. I'll fill you in after my milk paint lesson!
{green swap photograph by charlotte jenks lewis}
{top photograph via yolo colorhouse}
what's green swap? find out more here
