Environmentally friendly painting
We all need to look out for the environment. So when you have painting work to do, you might ask yourself, how can I ensure a wonderful coat of paint in a clean and sustainable way?
In this blog, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about environmentally friendly painting.
Check Your VOC
An environmentally friendly approach to painting will always require the use of paint with minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A VOC is a substance with a low boiling point, and the propensity to release large numbers of molecules into the surrounding air through the process of evaporation. Many paints are known as high-VOC, and release harmful chemicals and compounds into the air at room temperature. These chemicals include:
- Ethylene glycol – a vital component of anti-freeze,
- Formaldehyde,
- Benzene, and many more.
There are well known dangers to breathing the air surrounding high-VOC paints. Watery eyes and headaches are certainly not what you want from a paint job, but respiratory diseases including asthma, and links to the development of cancer are far more sinister.
When choosing the paint for your next project, choose a paint registering as low-VOC as possible. The best on the market will have been 10 to 20 times lower VOC levels than conventional paints. Low VOC paints are better for the environment and safer for yourself and your family to live amongst.
Don’t be a Lead Head
When carrying out your paint-work, be sure to follow lead-safe practices should you suspect that your painting environment was originally painted with lead-based paint. In Australia, that means that houses painted before 1970 are most at risk. Coming into contact with paint-dust or paint-chips from this era can be a serious health risk, and should be avoided.
Fortunately, professional painting providers trained in sustainable painting practices and lead & asbestos management will have the expertise and equipment, including protective suits and masks, required to return your environment to a clean and healthy space.
You can contact the Lead Advisory Service on 1800 626 086 for more information.
Recycle and Maintain
It’s truly staggering how much unnecessary wastage of painting equipment can occur. Cheap painting equipment not only fails to do the job properly; it also makes for considerable waste. Environmentally focused painting contractors know to take care of their high-end equipment to attain maximum usage. But for DIY projects, learning to clean and take care of your equipment properly will maximise sustainability.
It’s also vital to recycle your leftover paint products. Knowing how much paint you’ll require for the job is the first step, but keeping the remainder of your paint for another job around the house is a great move too. When the time comes to dispose of your paint cans and solvents, seek out a hazardous waste landfill to dispose of your waste responsibly.
If You’re Going with Professionals, Look for Enviropainter Accreditation
The best way to ensure an environmentally friendly painting project is to team up with an Enviropainter. The Enviropainter accreditation is a nationally recognised and respected title earned by members of the Master Painters Association Australia.
The Timeframe Group is proud to be known as an Enviropainter, highly trained in clean and sustainable product selection and painting practices. We’re passionate about working in clean and healthy environments, and are committed to providing the highest standards of painting in an eco-friendly manner.