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Paint

A fresh coat of paint is one of the quickest and easiest ways to refurbish an office. A number of issues are associated with the ingredients, manufacturing progress, application, and disposal of paint. However, several paint manufacturers produce products that carry the Environmental Choice eco-label and offer a sustainable alternative.

Issues

  • Mineral turps is occasionally used as a thinner and solvent and may contain up to 20% benzene, which is a confirmed carcinogen and mutagen in chronically exposed workers.
  • Emulsion paints are much safer to work with as they contain little or no hydrocarbon solvent.
Pointers

Ensure painting contractors:

  • use paints that meet the Environmental Choice criteria
  • dispose of used pails/cans and excess paint responsibility. Paint recycling facilities exist in some centres. See Paintwise for more details.
  • complete painting at least two days before occupancy and consider full 'flushing' of the building before occupancy (for example, by leaving windows open or running the building ventilation system for two days).

Useful resources and information

The following companies have products licensed by Environmental Choice New Zealand. An up-to-date list of the license criteria is on the Environmental Choice New Zealand website.

For further information on the products contact the companies directly:

For examples of environmentally preferable product specific contract language, check the US EPA website.

Case study: paint

Plenty of options are available with the Environmental Choice eco-label. The Ministry selected paint from the wide range available.

Technical checklist

Key things to avoid: aromatic hydrocarbon solvents, halogenated solvents, ethylene glycol, mercury, arsenic, selenium, lead, cadmium, chromium VI, antimony, formaldehyde, lead or titanium dioxide.

To help you compare different products, use the following questionnaire with suppliers and/or manufacturers, where products with an ecolabel (eg, Environmental Choice New Zealand) are unavailable:

Does the product meet the required levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the Environmental Choice New Zealand Trust licence criteria?  
Has the product been formulated and/or manufactured with the use of aromatic hydrocarbon solvents, halogenated solvents, or ethylene glycol?  
Has the product been formulated and/or manufactured (includes tinting) with the use of mercury, arsenic, selenium, lead, cadmium, chromium VI or antimony?  
Has the product been formulated and/or manufactured with the use of formaldehyde or is it likely to release formaldehyde during use?  
Have paint containers and their components been fabricated with the use of lead or titanium dioxide?  
Are paint containers made of material(s) that can be recycled, eg, plastic resin code 2 (high density polyethylene)?  
Do you provide clear disposal guidelines consistent with the Hazardous Substances (Disposal) Regulations 2001?  


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