Eco-friendly paint - it’s all about education

When it comes to building or renovating more and more customers are considering sustainable products and eco-friendly solutions. From the mainstream paint companies to the boutique paint suppliers – all have low VOC or low-tox paint finishes in their product range. Many paints have now been evaluated for environmental performance over their life cycle. Interior Stylist and Colour Consultant Bettina Deda spoke with Christine McCoy, Interior Designer and Colourist at The Paint Place in Collaroy, to find out what role eco-friendly paint plays in their huge range of paint colours.

How important is eco-friendly Paint within your product range?

Eco-friendly products represent a large part of our product range. All paint companies comply with VOC guidelines, but especially the boutique companies stand out with a holistic approach and are much closer to sustainability standards.

We offer a wide range of paint products, deck finishes, natural oils and waxes to finish decks, furniture, walls and floors. The products are used by landscapers and painters but also flooring businesses. We actually have a diverse range of clients in the trade industry.

What eco-friendly paint products are you offering?

We offer the complete range of Porters and Murobond who demonstrate an overall sustainability strategy – as does Wattyl, which we stock as well. On top of the standard Wattyl range we additionally offer New Look, Wattyl’s exclusive paint range for The Paint Place. Then we have, of course, all the Dulux products available. Additionally, we import SafePaint and MilkPaint from the US – products based on natural ingredients and mostly used for furniture and decor. How many of your customers are asking for eco-friendly paint products?

Usually, our customers from the Northern Beaches are quite conscious about sustainable products. A lot of customers come in the store and ask for low-odour paint. If we then explain more about the holistic approach of some of our suppliers, people are generally interested to learn more about the overall approach of the paint supplier, how the paint is made, and what the ingredients are. Customer are usually quite impressed when they experience that the colour and finish are not compromised by using eco-friendly paint products.

Where do customers find‚ “green” painters?

Customers can search the new website of Greenpainters, a sustainability initiative of the National Institute of Painting and Decorating. Another source of information is Enviropainter.org.au An Enviropainter® is a registered member of the Master Painters Australia who has undertaken an accredited training course on 22002VIC Sustainable Painting Practices.

We also recommend to contact the boutique paint companies, who regularly update a list of recommended painters – used to working with eco-friendly products and according to sustainability standards. How do you incorporate eco-friendly paint in your showroom?

We are very fortunate to have: an additional showroom – adjacent to our store. Our aim is to create a visual and tactile experience with our products. We have floorboards, big timber samples, hand-painted colour swatches, fan decks, booklets, magazines, brochures, and paint brushes available for our customers to experience the touch and feel of our products. Customers are invited to sit down at our big recycled timber table in the middle of the showroom to browse information material and samples.

You mentioned that the customers are genuinely interested in ecofriendly paint products. Your outlook for the future?

I think it is all about education. Young painters should have a special courses on sustainable products to be able to do better understand the holistic approach of the paint companies. There are still a lot of painters from „the old school“ around. As the paint companies develop their sustainability strategies further, the painters need to be educated as well in order to better understand the products and their advantages. I particularly like to work with a young painter who shows ongoing interest in the background of products and regularly attends our workshops. I believe this is the way forward: education and cooperation.

Where To Recycle Old Paint and Paint Cans?

You can keep your leftover paint for up to ten years if the can is properly sealed. Keep the paint in a dry place and you will always be able to do some touch-ups if needed. Also consider donating leftover paint to local community organisations.

For more sources to recycle paint and paint cans and to watch a video about how to do it visit Greenpainters

Greenpainters – A sustainability initiative of the National Institute of Painting and Decorating

This national initiative provides an ecocertification program for painters, including training, consumer information and skills to promote environmentally preferable coatings technology. Customers can check on the national register of painting contractors to see if their chosen painter is registered.

For more information about The Paint Place, visit their website, or – even better – their gorgeous showroom in Collaroy.

Bettina Deda www.bdcolourdesign.net.au What are sustainable paint related products? • Tools and equipment made from natural materials • Products based on renewable or highly abundant resources • Ingredients which reduce the possibility of chemical sensitivity • Low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) products and content • Heat-reflective nano-ceramics and pigments • Energy Star graphs illustrate that by improving the energy efficiency, the building requires less energy to keep cool, thereby, reducing its environmental footprint

• Solventless two-pack epoxy coatings

SOURCE :: ENVIROPAINTER.ORG.AU