Home Painting Options
Are household paints toxic?
It depends upon what kind of paint you are using. Many common household paints are oil based, meaning they contain organic solvents that are harmful to the environment and your health. Even most latex based paints use organic solvents. These conventional paints contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs off-gas during the drying period, and often throughout its lifetime. These gases are a suspected carcinogenic, and often create health complications.
Are there environmentally friendly household paints?
Yes. Though it is next to impossible to rid a paint of all toxins, many paint manufacturers now offer a line of paint that have as little toxins as possible. These paints are water based, and have varying degrees of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
There are three kinds of environmentally friendly paints – natural paints, zero VOC paints, and low-VOC paints. Natural paints, also known as milk paints, use all natural ingredients. These can include water, plant oils and resins, plant dyes, essential oils, clay, chalk, talcum, milk casein, natural latex, and bees wax. Zero-VOC paints are a bit of a misnomer. It is impossible to have colored paint without Volatile Organic Compounds present. But, paints labeled as Zero-VOC have less than 5 grams per liter of VOCs present in the mix. This level is still very low. Low-VOC paints must have less than 200 grams per liter of VOCs, and often contain very little to no heavy metals or formaldehyde.
The main drawback of environmentally friendly paints is the cost. On average, they are about $5 more per gallon than conventional paints. Another drawback is the versatility of environmentally friendly paints. Not all of them are suitable for outside use. But, there are some brands that have developed high quality outside paints that are low to no VOC.
For more information, check out http://eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_paints.htm
Are there companies in central Oregon that use environmentally friendly paint?
Yes there are. Please visit Interior Design in our Green Purchasing Guide. There are also local stores that sell paint for those do-it-yourselfers; check out Building Supplies in our Green Purchasing Guide.
Where can I dispose of old paint?
Knott Landfill- (541) 317-3163
Prineville Disposal -(541) 447-2398
Box Canyon Transfer Station (541) 475-2449
Miller Lumber 110 North East Greenwood Avenue Bend, OR 97701 Phone: (541) 382-4301
Redmond Ace Hardware 640 South West Evergreen Avenue Redmond, OR 97756 Phone: (541) 548-2213
Lutton's Ace Hardware 373 East Hood Avenue Sisters, OR 97759 Phone: (541) 549-8011.
