From Guest Blogger Dylan Moskowitz: Four Eco-Friendly Painting Tips

Painting is as much of science as it is an art. Choosing the proper paint for any project requires so much more than choosing the prettiest color, and there are a lot of factors that determine whether or not the paint you’re using is actually the best coating for the job you’re doing.

Now, with assessing the quality of paint, four components that are observed are a coating’s durability and longevity, color and gloss retention, weatherability (how well it holds up against UV light, moisture, salt, and other conditions that would compromise the paint’s structural integrity), and environmental conscientiousness.

In recent years, green coatings that promote sustainability have emerged as a property that consumers actively look for. And beyond the actual chemical composition of the paint you’re using, there have been quite a few painting techniques and methods employed that are better for the environment. That being said, the next time you decide to tackle a paint project, keep these four eco-friendly painting tips top of mind.

1.Look for low-VOC paints

VOCs are Volatile Organic Compounds that very easily become gases, and are found in paint. Many VOCs are considered toxic and air pollutants, and, in combination with nitrogen oxides, turn into smog. This chemical reaction has a negative impact on the environment, thus contributing to climate change. By choosing low-VOC coatings, you are thereby reducing the amount of air pollution that is released into our environment. Professional painting companies suggest to look for a Green Seal label that marks the paint as environmentally responsible.

2.Only buy what you need

When you’re planning out a project, calculate exactly how much paint you would need to use, and try to get as close to that number as possible. The less leftover paint you have, the better. If you end up with more than you expected, no worries. There are a few ways to deal with the extra paint.

3.Properly dispose of unwanted paint

If the paint is still good, then you can donate it to a local recycling center, as there are numerous community projects going on that could use your extra paint. However, if you can’t recycle or reuse the paint, you’ll have to dispose of it.

It’s quite common for people to discard of excess paint by dumping it down a drain or to merely toss it into a trash can while it’s still wet. Nevertheless, paint can be detrimental to the environment when it isn’t properly disposed of. You should never, under any circumstances, pour paint down the drain or pour it onto the ground.

Dumping toxic paints down the drain and on the ground could destroy your drains, and inflict damage on the environment. Discarding paint in such a manner is considered illegal in many places.

To properly dispose of paint, first remove the lid and let the paint dry as much as possible. If you wish to accelerate this step, add kitty litter to the paint, or any other kind of absorbent material, and let the concoction sit for an hour, or until the paint has dried. Make sure you use equal parts paint and kitty litter and, once the paint has completely dried, it is safe to throw in a garbage can. Afterwards, recycle the empty paint cans; however, if there’s a significant amount of dried paint at the bottom of the can, you’ll have to throw it out as well. If you decide to hire a painting company, make sure they have systems in place to properly dispose of the materials.

4.Reuse what you can

Have a few gallons of paint left? Consider storing it and saving it for future projects. You can always mix the colors to create something new, and you won’t have to spend more money in the future (and create more waste.) Properly seal the paint can by replacing the lid and using a mallet, as hammers will damage the lid, to close the can.

Store the paint in a cool, dark place. Remember: extreme temperatures can negatively affect the paint. Cold weather will cause latex-based paint to separate, and hot weather can dry your paint out. If the weather is hot enough, it can even ignite a fire if you’re storing an oil-based paint.

Paint with a latex or water base typically have a shelf life of ten years while solvent or oil-based coatings are good to up to 15 years. When checking to see if your paint has gone bad: for latex, if it gives off a rancid odor, then it can’t be used. If you stir the paint and, it isn’t hard on the bottom or the sides and is the original color, then it should be okay to use. Determining the quality of a latex-based paint can also be tested by performing a swatch test. If the paint is lumpy, then it’s gone bad.

As for oil-based paint, so long as it hasn’t had exposure to extreme hot or cold temperature, then it’s likely that the paint is still in good condition. Before you use it, make sure you remove the top layer of liquid that has accumulated and stir the paint very well.

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Good luck and happy painting!