Whether you’re painting an entire room or just updating your furniture, eco-friendly paints can make all the difference. They contain fewer toxins, reduce landfill and groundwater waste, and cut back on ozone-depleting VOCs.
Traditional paints use all manner of additives to help them go on smoothly, dry faster, last longer, resist stains and scuffs, or enhance some other quality. Eco-friendly paints rely on natural ingredients.
Reduced VOCs
Traditional paints release toxic chemicals into the air during and after application, which can pose health problems for people living or working in the space. Eco-friendly paints, on the other hand, have dramatically reduced VOC levels for a healthier choice that also delivers great aesthetic results.
Low-VOC paints use natural ingredients for a cleaner production that reduces environmental impact. They are typically free of VOC solvents, chemical pigments and fungicides, making them safer for the environment as well as pregnant women, children or anyone with breathing issues.
While high-VOC paints are harmful to the environment, they’re even worse for humans. Their off-gassing can cause dizziness, nausea or eye or respiratory irritation for those who spend time in the room, and long-term exposure can even lead to cancer. Eco-friendly paints, on the flip side, have lower VOC levels that are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency for indoor air quality. This makes them a much better option for the health and safety of the people who will be using them every day. They’re also easy to clean up with soap and water, minimizing waste as they go.
Recycled or Upcycled Materials
When reviving furniture or repainting rooms in your home, opt for eco-friendly paints and finishes that use recycled or upcycled materials. This can divert these timeworn, unused items from landfills and give them new life in your home.
Many conventional paints contain harmful ingredients like VOCs that release toxic fumes into the air. Eco-friendly options have a lower or zero VOC content, reducing these harmful emissions and protecting indoor air quality.
Additionally, sustainable alternatives utilize organic materials that are biodegradable and nontoxic. This allows you to create a gorgeous aesthetic without compromising the health and safety of your family.
When using these paints, make sure you keep the room well-ventilated to speed up the drying process and minimize any residual odor. In addition, choose weather-resistant sealants when using milk or chalk paints to protect your designs from moisture. Lastly, when purchasing these products, consider supporting companies that prioritize sustainability and ethical manufacturing. They may also have green energy sources, reducing carbon emissions during production. These practices are crucial for preserving our planet and reducing our dependency on fossil fuels.
Nontoxic
Nontoxic paints contain very little to no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a group of toxic chemicals that release into the air when traditional paints dry. These chemicals can lead to respiratory problems like asthma, and are also known to contribute to certain types of cancer. The low- to no-VOC formulations of eco-friendly paints allow for easy application without the need for extensive ventilation, and they also eliminate lingering odors or hazardous air pollutants.
Natural and plant-based materials are the basis for many of these paints, with ingredients like water, essential oils, milk casein, natural dyes and resins from plants, tree sap or beeswax. Milk paint, for example, contains nothing but milk, food-grade clay and natural pigments, and dries to a soft matte finish that seals with tung or hemp oil or a simple beeswax.
In addition to reducing VOCs, eco-friendly paints generally use sustainable ingredients and production practices, which reduces their carbon footprint. You can often find more information about the sustainability features of a particular product on its manufacturer website or through online retailers that specialize in green building supplies.
Easy Soap-and-Water Cleanup
When you use eco-friendly paints, you don’t have to worry about releasing harmful chemicals into the environment. Many eco-friendly paints are water-based and contain natural ingredients like lemon peel extract, seed oil and beeswax. They also are made from recycled or biodegradable materials. Because they produce minimal emissions and have a smaller carbon footprint, eco-friendly paints help to preserve our planet’s ecosystems.
Traditional chemical-based paints can release volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, into the air, which can cause various health problems and contribute to air pollution. However, eco-friendly paints are typically low or contain no VOCs, which helps to improve indoor air quality and create a healthier working environment.
Additionally, many eco-friendly paints are manufactured using sustainable ingredients, such as plant-based dyes and pigments, as well as biocides and organic oils sourced from renewable resources rather than fossil fuels. Moreover, these types of paints are often free from fungicides and pesticides and contain no mercury, lead or other toxic substances, which make them safe to use around children and those with sensitivities to chemicals.
Easy Application
Traditional paints often contain volatile organic compounds that have detrimental effects on the environment and human health. Fortunately, eco-friendly paints and finishes typically contain natural ingredients that release minimal to no VOCs during manufacturing and product application. These sustainable alternatives help to improve indoor air quality and reduce carbon emissions.
Additionally, eco-friendly paints and finishes typically have a similar texture and color options to conventional paints. They are also highly durable and resist fading, chipping, and peeling for long-lasting results.
Finally, many eco-friendly paints and finishes are low odor, eliminating the need for ventilation while you work on your project. They are also easy to customize with distressed and antiquing techniques for additional decorative style.
Look for eco-friendly options that are certified Climate Neutral, which means they meet environmentally responsible standards at every stage of their supply chain, from raw materials to manufacturing and shipping. Some companies like Real Milk Paint Co. even use geothermal energy for production to ensure their carbon footprint is as small as possible. These environmentally friendly paints help to support manufacturers who prioritize sustainability and create a more positive impact on the environment.