Four Green Goals for a Painting Project

1. The first goal I have is to be aware of the health issues for both the painter and home owner. As the paint dries what is released into the air? If the paint is going to be sprayed how will the over spray (dust/solids) effect painters if breathed.? Some paints are safer than others. When a paint is sanded the dust can be harmful if it is inhaled.

2. Durability-Is this a product that is durable. A high quality paint lasts longer and does not need to be repainted as often. Our goal is to use durable high quality paints.

3. Limiting Extra Paint- it is our goal to buy the appropriate amount of paint. I have not always succeeded at this, but we have gotten much better. It is good to have some touch up paint, but not to much.

4. Disposal and Recycling- This has been my largest challenge. It is our goal to recycle as much paint as possible. Frozen or defective needs to be kept to a minimum. Each project should be taken care of properly. It is also very important to select products that can be recycled or disposed of without lasting harmful impact on the environment. An example would be oil based paint and thinners that are considered hazardous waist.

How to get ride of all that extra paint?

This is a question I have to deal with on a regular basis. I just heard a story of a painter dumping all his old paint into a neighbors dumpster. It is extremely important for us to find a soloution to this problem. I have not found a solution that I am fully satisfied with yet. These are some of the ways that I am working towar an solution.

1. We try to buy a little less than I think I need at the start and adjust quantities based on how much paint is being used.
2. We keep extra paint at our customers home so that we can use it later for touch up.


3. We remove all primer, clear coating, and other commonly used products so that we can use the extra on the next project.
4. I have donated extra paint to my Local Habitat for Humanity and a local YMCA. (Churches, and other community centres are also good options)

I would like find way to recycle paint.