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Eco Paint

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Why? Because it’s not all pretty colours

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SHOCK FACT

Lung cancer risk is 22-57% higher in painters compared with the general population

We got to discovering recently that there’s more to paint than we know and many are really not good for either us or the environment. It’s a bit of a minefield so we got stuck in…here’s the scoop:

VOCs: Many of you may have heard of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), though we hadn’t! They’re the gases given off by paints that contain solvents and are the key thing to look out for. Their release not only contributes to ‘bad ozone’ (and hence global heating) but can bring a ton of long-term health problems, like damage to our nervous systems, with some being known carcinogens. People with respiratory conditions such as asthma are particularly vulnerable. That painting headache? That’s VOC’s!

A catch. There’s no such thing as zero VOCs, all paints include some. From 2012, the law required paint to meet a maximum threshold level with VOCs. Trouble is some paints market themselves as ‘low VOCs’ just by being a tiny bit below those limits. So the ones we want are ‘zero’ or ‘no VOCs’. That usually means it’s as close to zero as you can get.

Toxins: The other important factor is that many of the big brand paints can (and normally do) contain other nasty chemicals such as acrylic softeners, ammonia or formaldehydes. Just no good for the environment, or probably us.

Packaging and production: we want the guys who have a sustainable supply chain.

Ok, so how should we buy?

The first thing to acknowledge is that as paint is manmade, it can’t fit into every definition of being genuinely ‘natural’. However, there are lots of companies trying to do the right thing, with some going to especially committed efforts to produce a near perfect pot.

Easy rule of thumb: if a brand is not shouting about its eco-credentials, it’s because they haven’t got them. Look for ‘zero’ VOCs, no vinyls, acrylics or oils and a commitment to the planet. Toxin free, responsibly sourced pigments, sustainable production, vegan, cruelty free all get big ticks. The eco manufacturers we’ve listed below meet some or all of those criteria. Check individually for the bits that particularly matter to you.

Where to buy:

The mainstream all-rounder is Lakeland Paints - a one stop shop for exteriors, interiors, wood. All VOC and plastic free. (£10.00- £12.35/litre)

For eco interior paints, here’s our pick of the best:

You might be wondering - like we did - how the premium brands like Farrow and Ball & Little Greene fare? Well they’re definitely low VOC, tick some of the other boxes and are infinitely better, environmentally, than the mainstream big sellers like Dulux. By the way the ones that you can get mixed to your colour are out too (unless you use people like the above brands to do it).

*All prices are a ballpark - they vary according to paint finish, quantity etc.

For external wooden sheds/fences/raised beds:

Post your comments or tips in the box below, or on our socials. And…is there something you’re proud of, big or small (peat-free compost bought, meat reduced)? Email us, so we can feature you on our Weekly Shout Out. Everyone loves it, don’t be shy!

Will it cost me more money

Yes, unfortunately. A lot. Eco paint can cost about 3 x more than mainstream brands. It certainly gave us pause. Then considering we only paint our homes every 10 years or so, maybe it’s false economy. If you can, invest in you, your home and the planet.

We…

Aimee: Painting a fence is exhausting! Should have borrowed someone’s paint sprayer...I had hands like claws by the end but Mr Myagi would be proud!! But the Lakeland shed & fence treatment paint was brilliant - no odours, no mess, just lovely clean paint treatment for my fences and all delivered and contained in recyclable packaging. Lakeland Paints also answered lots of my questions very quickly and kindly (e.g. how do I remove bird poo from my lovely, new black fences…)

Sonia: Unlike Aimee’s slick garden in the making, mine is an old style English one. So I went on the hunt for a transparent eco-wood stain for my shed. Get this, there is ONE on the market. Still to be applied, shed staining not high on my list of love-to-do’s!

“Let’s paint the town green”