Small steps make a huge difference

Sustainability is a hot topic across the construction sector, but for many professional painters and decorators improving sustainability can feel like a big undertaking. However, it can be the answer to unlocking new work. Dulux Decorator Centre believes that small changes can make a significant difference, Duncan Lochead, DDC’s Commercial Sustainability Manager, explores the steps businesses can take to become greener.

Choose low VOC products

When choosing paint for a project, one of the simplest ways to drive down emissions is choosing water-based paints and coatings for both the walls and trim. Whilst solvent-based products have traditionally ruled in terms of durability, advances in water-based formulations mean that the products available on the market today can deliver similar results. They also have the added benefit of being more sustainable thanks to lower Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) content.

VOCs are chemical vapours that are greenhouse gases and therefore contribute to global warming, rising sea levels and ground level pollution. Exposure to high levels of VOCs can also have negative effects on the health of the applier and occupant. It is important to consider that they may not be suitable for occupation for some time after the paint has been applied, which can cause major disruption to residents.

Water-based trim products and wall paints like the Dulux Trade Airsure range combats these issues. Water-based products are also quick drying, as well as reducing disruption for customers, this also means decorators can complete the job faster.

Extend maintenance cycles

When a space needs redecorating the customer will be looking to the painter to deliver top-quality results that last. Choosing durable paints and coatings is therefore the key to customer satisfaction. For example, Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt is six times more scuff resistant than standard matt paint thanks to ultimate scuff-resistant technology that protects walls against scuff marks left behind from items like shoes, bags, furniture and more. In addition, Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt is stain resistant and cleanable, making surfaces easy for the customer to maintain. Durable products can also help to cut costs, minimise disruption and reduce emissions over the lifetime of a building, which will be music to customers’ ears.

Impressing the customer with sound product advice will help to boost your business’ profile and increase the chances of positive word of mouth, potentially opening doors for new business opportunities.

Reducing waste

A staggering 60% of UK waste comes from construction, so it is vital that professional painters and decorators do their bit to sustainably dispose of empty paint cans and reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill.

Can recycling is quick and easy to do with the right partner. For example, Dulux Decorator Centre’s can recycling scheme enables customers to drop off clean, empty paint cans on their next visit to store, or Dulux Decorator Centre can collect empty paint cans when delivering to site.

If paint cans are partially full at the end of a job, DDC can work with professional painters and decorators to donate it to good causes such as Community RePaint, a UK wide paint reuse network, sponsored by Dulux, that aims to collect leftover paint and redistribute it at an affordable cost, so nothing goes to waste.

It is also important to think about the durability of the tools and accessories used to ensure that they will stand the test of time and can be used across multiple jobs (rather than discarded after one use). This will reduce waste and cut down on the cost of replacement tools. It is also advisable to use products with recyclable packaging. For example, it is estimated that over two million sealant cartridges end up in landfill each week in the UK, but using foil packed caulk will significantly reduce this.

Sustainability can be achieved by taking small, simple steps like choosing durable, water-based paints and coatings and considering ways to recycle or donate materials once the job is finished. These actions will help to improve your business’ sustainability credentials and can help to win new business through positive word of mouth, or even put your business in front of larger contractors looking for an applier with a sustainable mindset.

To find out more about how DDC can support businesses to improve sustainability visit www.duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk/our-sustainability-story