By Kristin Underwood
San Diego, CA, USA | Tue Mar 31 13:30:00 GMT 2009
Who needs boring, white walls when a world of color is at your fingertips? Only problem—you've heard that paints can be toxic. Not to worry, this guide highlights some of the best green indoor paints on the market.
The problem with most conventional paints is that they off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—that's the strong smell you notice. These fumes are known to cause anything from headaches to eye irritation, nausea, and cancer. Even paints that say no-VOC may contain VOCs, usually through the addition of tint—so the lighter the shade the better.
Paint can also be extremely harmful to the earth to produce. Just one ton of paint can result in 10-30 tons of waste that must then be disposed properly, so as to not contaminate nearby soil.
So how do you pick a color that will wow your friends, calm your senses, and make you feel at home? The following five green paints are some of the best on the market.
Why We Like It: A 2,000-year-old tradition, milk paint came before there were petrochemicals, toxic bases and solvents—but has a bad reputation for being a bit uneven and streaky. SafePaint From Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co., while still flat, washable, and 100 percent biodegradable, boasts a much smoother appearance. Wall surfaces should be primed, and it takes a little patience to get the right consistency, similar to making chocolate milk.
Eco Factor: SafePaint contains no VOCs, HAPs, borax, acrylics, vinyls, acetates, oils, lead, hydrocarbons, preservatives, fungicides or EPA-banned solvents. With these all natural ingredients, and low or no odor, this paint is ideal for people with allergies and sensitive systems. (They claim it's even safe enough to drink—but we don't recommend it.) Hand-packed in biodegradable packaging, the paint comes in a dry, powder form—which also trims packaging, allows for cheaper shipping, and means more can be carried during transport, cutting down on trucks and fuel. The manufacture takes very little energy as it just involves mixing the dry ingredients (milk casein, lime, earth pigments, and clay).
The DIYer Will Love: You can mix and match the 20-color pallet to make your own colors.
Where: Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co. or at retail stores across the country.
How Much: $10 a pint; $17 a quart; $46 a gallon
Image courtesy of Old fashioned Milk Paint
Why We Like It: Modern Emulsion paint from British firm Farrow & Ball is best for those high-traffic areas: It's both washable and durable, and comes with a slight sheen in 132 colors.
Eco Factor: Modern Emulsion contains such a small amount of VOCs, that it's classified Zero VOC by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency It also has no odors, formaldehyde, or ammonia. Paint cans are made from recycled tin containers—which can then be recycled—and paints use linseed oil and china clay instead of toxic alternatives. Farrow & Ball also pays attention to energy use, and waste and water management during manufacturing, and is ISO14001 certified, meaning the facility agrees to a management plan to reduce waste and improve environmental compliance..
The DIYer Will Love: You can buy a sample pot for $7.
Where: Farrow & Ball or try the retailer locator.
How Much: $90 a gallon
Image courtesy of Farrow and Ball
Why We Like It: With colors designed by experienced interior designers, artisans and painters, the Little Yolo Sprout Collection from Yolo Colorhouse is a washable interior paint in six pastel shades, with no-VOCs.
Eco Factor: First, it's Green Seal Certified meaning it is approved by the U.S. Green Building Council for LEED projects. It's also smell, ammonia, formaldehyde, ethylene glycol, crystalline silica and VOC-free, and therefore safe for babies' rooms. Cans are 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic, stir-sticks are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified, and paints were developed by a team of toxicologists and environmental scientists. To ensure "sustainability beyond the can" Yolo recycles wastewater, purchases green power, and selects sustainable materials for all displays. In addition, Yolo is the first paint company to join the SmartWay Transportation program, shipping via rail and biodiesel whenever possible, and employees are encouraged to use alternative transportation (over 50% go by bike).
The DIYer Will Love: All colors are designed to match each other for easy accent or trim coordination.
Where: Cox Paint or at retail stores across the country.
How Much: $14.75 a quart; $45 a gallon; $215 for 5 gallons
Image courtesy of Yolo Colorhouse
Why We Like It: Sherwin Williams stores are all over the U.S.—making this eco-friendly paint easy to get your hands on. Pitched as ideal for baby or children's rooms, Harmony can also be used as a primer or top-coat.
Eco Factor: Stamped with Sherwin Williams' "Green Sure" label, Harmony meets GS-11 Standards and qualifies for LEED Certification. It doesn't have VOCs or silicates, but it does contain anti-microbials, which eliminate mold and mildew on the surface. Soy, sunflower oil, and reduced solvents slash harmful emissions. The can is made from 100 percent post consumer recycled plastic, the label is recycled fiber, and the writing is printed with soy inks. The company has also implemented green initiatives at its factories, including improving energy efficiency, reducing waste, and switching trucks over to biodiesel.
The DIYer Will Love: Sherwin Williams will match just about any color, giving you huge color variety.
Where: Try Sherwin-Williams' store locator.
How Much: $39 a gallon
Image courtesy of Sherwin Williams
Why We Like It: The cheapest on this list, Interior Low VOC Latex from Visions Paint Recycling is a green paint bargain, for your home—or even large, commercial building projects.
Eco Factor: It's Green Seal certified and recycled: The manufacturer collects from sources including household hazardous waste drop-offs, landfills, or color mistakes from paint contractors or paint stores. As long as the donated paint is still in its original can, minus mildew, rust or solids, then the paint is usable. Although this paint does contain VOCs (50% virgin paint, 50% no-voc paint), and should be applied in a well-ventilated area, it still has fewer grams per liter of VOC than the LEED limit, and therefore can be applied towards LEED points.
The DIYer Will Love: It comes in 52 shades—but like Sherwin Williams, the firm will custom match a color for you.
Where: Only online, at Visions Paint Recycling.
How Much: $12-14 per gallon
Image courtesy of Visions Painting
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