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Eco-friendly paint: Benefits, Examples, and more

Cost efficient

Before learning the benefits of eco-friendly paint, you might want to know the harmful effects of normal paints. In fact, the paints that we use normally (mostly VOCs and other conventional paint) don’t just toxicity to the environment, the bring the same to our houses as well. These end up contributing significantly to indoor air pollution and are often suspected to play a key role in health problems like respiratory issues and headaches. Therefore, we need to look for sustainable paints that provide alternatives to this. Given below are some more advantages that make going green with your paints always a good option.

10 – Benefits of using eco-friendly paint

1. Minimal Environmental Impact

Minimal Environmental ImpactMostly all eco-friendly paints are water-based and do not leave harmful footprints at all. Moreover, natural components present in these paints are biodegradable. Over time they have been functionally improved and are currently being offered in a variety of shades.

2. No or less VOCs

Almost every chemical paint comprises of VOC or Volatile Organic Compounds. These are emitted especially when such chemical paints are produced in the factories. They are also emitted when you use them to paint walls. VOC leaves behind chemical waste that is non biodegradable and nonrecyclable. Eco friendly paints are superior in comparison and either contain no VOC at all or only just a slight amount of it, which will cause relatively lesser damage.

3. Health Benefits

lung cancer

VOC in paints remains active up to five years after application, even when the paint has dried up completely. People, who are continually exposed to VOC in paints are 40 percent more prone to lung cancer. A VOC free eco friendly paint prevents you from a variety of infections.

4. Naturally produced

Every component used in eco friendly paints is natural. Thus, plant extracts like lemon peel extract, seed oil bee wax, etc. are the primary components of these green paints. They do not lead to any unsafe emission either during the process of manufacturing or while applying at home.

5. Cost efficient

Cost efficientYou might find that eco-friendly paints are costlier than most of the chemical paints. But, despite this, the health-conscious generation is upbeat about using eco-friendly paints. To tell you the truth, apparently they may seem expensive but they are cost effective options. They safeguard your health protect the environment from pollution.

6. Low odor

You might feel suffocated by the unpleasant odor emitted by the chemical paints. The major culprits are ammonia and formaldehyde found in paints. They often leave you coughing madly after you get your house painted. But, eco-friendly paints are devoid of any odor due to the presence of natural ingredients in them.

7. Efficient painting results in few coats

Efficient painting results in few coatsEco friendly paints do not only work towards reducing the impact of harmful emissions on the environment, but they are also qualitatively more superior to their chemical counterparts. So, you can be assured that eco friendly paints will give your walls a superior coverage, improved color retention capacity, viscosity, greater choice of shades, minimal abrasion, etc.

8. Nontoxic

These all-natural earth-friendly paints curb the chances of releasing toxins in the environment that subsequently cause health hazards. As compared to the conventional chemical paints they do not contain harmful chemicals like benzene, toluene, naphthalene, methyl chloroform they are far better and greener options for you.

9. Suitable for anyone

Suitable for anyoneThe natural ingredients in these eco-friendly paints guarantee that they are totally safe for everybody. So feel safe with eco-friendly paints whether you are pregnant, or a kid, old person, asthma patient or anybody else.

10. Reduced waste

Judging from the point of reduced waste production, eco-friendly paints score over conventional chemical-based paints. Chemical paints emit toxic chemical compounds when they are manufactured. Even more threatening is that they continue leaving harmful footprints years after they have already been used to paint homes. But, natural paints are devoid of any such byproducts.

After reading the benefits of eco-friendly paint, let’s find out paint options which give you the opportunity to reap those benefits.

Some eco-friendly paints

1. Farrow & Ball:

Farrow & Ball

A long time back, paint makers Farrow & Ball had started using water as the base of their paints. The water-based formula contains much less pollutants. The formula is certified for low and zero VOC. Natural pigments are used for creating the hues. Linseed oil, china clay and lime putty are used for making the colors sustainable. Farrow & Ball do not use harmful chemical compounds like ammonia and formaldehyde. A gallon of paint will cost you $95.

2. Marston & Langinger:

Marston & Langinger

Marston & Langinger is a UK based paint making company. They were initially a garden room company that developed paints for use in greenhouses. They found that the normal paints were very toxic and harmful for the plants, and switched to environmentally friendly variants. The paints produced by this company are quite easily affordable at $75 per 5 liters. The paints are non-toxic and almost totally odorless.

3. C2 Lovo Paint:

C2 Lovo Paint

The best thing about using the C2 Lovo paint is that they are available in a great variety of shades. Moreover, this brand uses European colorants. You can get any shade of your desire without worrying about the quality and toxic contents.

4. Safe Paint:

Safe Paint

Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company is producing Safe Paint which is another great non-toxic paint. Furthermore, in this paint, milk protein casein is used as a binding agent. Safe paint is organic paint with zero VOC. One gallon paint will cost you $45. 95.

5. Mythic Paint:

Mythic Paint

The Mythic Paint is another odorless and non-toxic paint. It helps in protecting your walls for a long time. It is manufactured by Auro, which is by origin a German company but distributes its products in the US.

6. Energy Saving Paint

Energy Saving PaintInsulating your home can save energy helping to reduce heating and cooling costs. This is no new concept, but, to practically apply this in building your home falls heavily on one’s pocket!

Things are not so with this new concept of ‘insulation paint’. The amazing paint can help you insulate your home in an easier and cheaper way. The ceramic microspheres or ‘beads’ — resembling a white fine talcum powder – in the insulation paint reflects, refracts and blocks radiant heat, making it a popular product to help residential homes save energy.

 

Another important part about this paint is that it is not just safe to use by being non-toxic, but is also environmentally friendly. The qualifications of the paint as a ‘totally’ eco-friendly product completes with its capability to insulate sound and resist corrosion, abrasion, mold and mildew.

 

Being more resistant to stain, it is also easy to clean and maintain. 

7. Paint that cleans the air

Paint that cleans the airWill our lives be cramped to the four walls of our home? Certainly it appears this way! Toxic wastes are taking a heavy toll on the environment. The question rests, where do we get fresh air from? Researchers always have some solution or the other. Similarly, scientists of Japan-based Suzuran Corporation have launched Reben. 

It is an environmentally remediating paint made from 100 percent natural ingredients. Created as a response to sick-building syndrome and poor indoor-air quality, Reben emits no harmful volatile organic compounds and actually cleans the air.

The environmentally friendly coating comprises of: 

1. Powdered Japanese washi paper: Washi naturally controls humidity, absorbing moisture during the summer and releasing it during the winter.

2. Seaweed glue

3. Scallop-shell powder: prevents mold and bacteria growth, as well as flame-spread.
4. Titanium dioxide:
 acts as a photocatalyst, deodorizing the air and absorbing pollution when the paint surface is illuminated.

8. Paint that generates electricity

Paint that generates electricity

Industrial Nanotech, a company based in Florida, USA has recently announced that it has now reached the development stage of a thermal insulation material that will generate electricity.

After applying a paint coating, the thermal difference between inside and outside temperatures can be used to generate electricity.

On top of saving energy through its insulating properties, one can also generate power. A thin sheet of thermal insulation which can be used in walls or attics of houses or commercial buildings.

The fact that always, anytime of the day, and anywhere in the world, there is a difference between the temperatures inside a building and outside a building gives us now a definite constant source of energy.

Are there organic paints too?

organic-paintOnce used as a fat alternative in chips, olestra-based organic compounds can be used in paints to replace toxic resins and solvents which paints contain. Scientists at Procter and Gamble Chemicals have engineered a new compound dubbed Sefose, which is made from a combination of sugar and vegetable oil. This can be used to give paint the ability to stick to surfaces, thereby replacing resins, and also prevent them from becoming too gooey to brush over surfaces, thereby replacing solvents.

Resins and solvents are both derived from petroleum and emit VOCs, which cause air pollution, leading to a variety of health problems. This new chemical can perfectly replace resins and solvents and it doesn’t emit any VOCs. Moreover, they create a glossy finish but are more resistant to scratching.

Things to keep in mind while choosing eco-friendly paints

1. VOC’s are a big no-no

VOC’s are a big no-noVOC’s are the solvents that are put inside standard point and are actually proven to be hazardous to health. However, you can buy VOC free paint from companies like Freshaire Choice, Benjamin Moore and YOLO Colorhouse who provide a range of paints that do not harm the environment. However, if you need spray paint, then you can purchase the ones with low toxicity levels, which are not free of risk, but better than the standard stuff.

2. Buy milk paint

Some paints have milk protein or lime as a base and have been in use for a while.  These are available as powder – so one has to mix before painting.  Lime can be a bit irritating to the skin.  This paint can be used indoors and outdoors – quite a few coats will be needed to create a soft look.

Another eco friendly paint that is trending is called Milk Paint that is comprised of earth, lime and milk, which was originally used, in cave paintings for centuries. Now make yourself some of this white primitive paint by using a very simple method that involved two ingredients: water and milk. You can alternatively opt for a readymade mix from The Real Milk Paint Company.

3. Clay Base:

Clay-Base-paintsPaints formulated this way are quite a common alternative – it is known for its anti fungal properties and is available in very few colors.  One can get a matte or textured finish. Two coats as usual and cannot be washed as it is water based paint. Touch up is a better option on dirty areas.

4. Buy paints that adhere to green standards

Devine Color is a company from Oregon that makes paint have the strictest green standards and it also emits low odor. It only needs one coat to create a perfect surface.

5. Paints made from plant resins and pigments

Paints made from plant resins and pigmentsOpt for sustainable paints that are made out of mineral pigments and plant resins. The Green Planet Paints is a brand that provides 120 shades of colors that are clay and mineral based with three amazing finishing.

6. Linseed Oil Based Paints:

Linseed oil is used to thin and clean up paints – so why not use it in the paint?  Any paint with this formulation can be used on interior or exterior walls.  Word is, linseed oil helps paint last a long time.  Of course, as with anything else, one will have to paint again.

Final Words

The benefits of eco-friendly paint show why they always score over the traditional paints that use a lot of chemical components. Some of the primary ill effects of these chemical-based paints are burning eyes, nose, and throat, irritated skin, minor skin burns, headaches, dizziness, etc. At the secondary level, they can be the cause of migraine, skin cancer, asthma, kidney damage, etc. Therefore, a safer alternative is eco-friendly paints that are composed of natural ingredients.

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