Environmentally Green Painting Tips
Take extra measures to ensure your painting project is an environmentally safe experience. The best quality acrylic paints are products that contain low or no volatile organic compounds (otherwise known as VOCs). These products reduce the emissions of VOCs into the home which improves indoor air quality and reduces urban smog. Check the labels on the cans for LEED certification to ensure you are using a low VOC product. LEED certified products are considered "green" or "environmentally-friendly." Below are tips for effective "green" painting for San Antonio homeowners:
Seal it tightly.
Don't pour leftover paint down the drain. If you have any unused paint, store it in a tightly sealed can and place it upside down to keep the seal intact.
Use all the paint.
Use every ounce of paint that you buy. Extra coating will offer more protection on your walls. Or, ask a friend, family member, or neighbor if they could use some extra paint for a small project.
Immediately hold off on cleaning tools.
If your project is going to take more than a day to complete, at the end of each day, wrap the tools in a plastic bag for reuse later. The tools will last overnight or even a few days if kept out of the sun.
Dispose of paint properly.
To dispose of paint, convert it to a solid waste then dispose of it with your regular trash. Remove the lid to allow the water or solvents to evaporate if you're converting it to solid waste. Do this in an area where children cannot tamper with it.
Use quality water-based acrylic-latex paints.
If using a water-based paint over an old solvent-based paint, be sure to follow the instructions for surface preparation which generally involves a good cleaning and a light sanding. Pure acrylic latex paints are more environmentally-friendly since they contain low levels of solvents.
Scrape the paint.
Upon completion of your project, scrape any excess paint from the can, latex rollers and brushes with a stir stick or wall scraper. Doing so prior to washing will make them easier to clean and is easier on the environment. When washing equipment, be sure to do so in a sink or similar drain so it is treated instead of ending up in the ground and in our drinking water.
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