A guide to eco and natural paints

I wanted to understand more about the product and the eco paint market 

The Guardian 

Tuesday 10 February 2009

By Katherine Sorrell

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/feb/09/eco-natural-paints-guide-best

"What is an eco paint?

By 2010, paint manufacturers will be obliged to comply with stringent new EU limits on VOC levels. Some have complied already and are labelling their products as 'environmentally friendly' - but it ain't necessarily so. According to sustainablebuild.co.uk, many of the 'non-toxic' paints from conventional companies "still contain VOC solvents, chemical pigments and fungicides". Equally confusingly, the move towards low-VOC, water-based gloss paints is also controversial, as it means manufacturers have to add even more ingredients, using a more intensive production process, than before.

Even among the producers of 'eco' or 'natural' paint there's no cut and dried definition of what that description means. Some use synthetic, petrochemical-based ingredients, just in lower amounts; others are made with natural solvents, which still contain VOCs (though rather than emitting noxious gases they tend to smell of the citrus fruits from which they're often derived). Some contain animal products. And some contain titanium dioxide as a whitener, which is a big contributor to environmental problems. Clearly, there are degrees of 'eco', and the only way to decide is to read the label carefully and consider all the claims made by the manufacturers."

Further research needed
- VOC and EU limits on VOC levels
- Sustainable build 
- What pots of paints, paint is made from

Thoughts 

- Possibly include on label what is in the product to reassure the customer that it is eco-friendly  
- Possible include a company quote on there views and importance on the environment