Slapping on a fresh coat is an easy way to brighten up your home, but the manufacture and disposal of paint can be an eco problem, not to mention the chemicals a pot contains. No need to pack away the paintbrushes though, just consider the following tips:
Don't buy more paint than you need - a lot is never used (just look in most people's garages). Here's a handy guide to how much paint you need.
Buy paints with the European Ecolabel, which means not only are they manufactured as environmentally friendly as possible, but contain no lead, mercury or other heavy metals. Read more about Ecolabel here.
Look for labels showing the lowest VOC content - that stands for volatile organic compounds which can be harmful to human and animal life, and building materials.
You can read more about VOCs at www.coatings.org.uk, and these websites will help you find eco paints: www.ecosorganicpaints.com, and www.ecopaints.co.uk.
Dispose of left-over paint carefully (check with your local council for the nearest site), but even better recycle it through Community RePaint scheme, a UK network which distributes unwanted paint, if suitable, to charities, community projects and other good causes. Find your nearest Community RePaint scheme here.
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