It shouldn’t come as a surprise that more and more companies are realizing the importance of sustainability as it relates to all aspects of upgrading/remodling eco friendly interior design for office workspaces. Our team here at Intelligent Interiors wants you to be informed about the options you have available.
This blog topic comes from an article entitled “Green Sustainable Paint Solutions” by Christopher Curtland – and it relates to sustainable paint. To read the full article, click here.
Why should you care about sustainable paint?
As you select paint for your next office interior, it is important to consider how eco-friendly it is and how well it will perform. Why? Because paint ingredients have impacts on environmental and social responsibility that reach beyond just unpleasant odors. Paints can be made out of recycled, natural, or bio-based content. Although you won’t find an ingredients label on most paint cans, companies are starting to divulge more information about their formulas because it impacts corporate social responsibility.
A few companies that have taken the right steps
Kelly-Moore Paints pioneered the concept of recycling paint about 15 years ago and currently offer an “e-coat” which uses 50% recycled paint and 50% new stock. They also offer a zero-VOC paint [For those of you who don’t know – VOC stands for volatile organic compound – which are to be avoided). Kelly-Moore’s eco-friendly lines have earned recognition and several certifications. Sherwin-Williams developed a sustainable product with a different approach. The Emerald line from Sherwin-Williams utilizes soybean and sunflower oils, and the resin contains recycled plastic bottles, Revnew adds. It is GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality certified.
Improvements in Quality for Eco-friendly paints
Although sustainability is a relevant concern, eco-friendly products still should be durable and long-lasting, otherwise they don’t make sense. Failures are environmental and financial burdens.Previous zero-VOC colorants caused poor drying and water sensitivity that led to blushing and blistering, But now, most eco-friendly lines have the same performance and service life as conventional coatings. Some eco-friendly paints have anti-microbial properties and are resistant to scrubbing, staining, and burnishing, just like conventional paints. They also maintain stable viscosity and thickness.
Now that you have the knowledge – use it! Ask your contractors what kind of paint they plan to use. Questions like “Is the paint zero-VOC?” or “low-VOC?” are a good start. We all have a responsibly to promote eco-friendly and sustainable workplaces.
Leave a Reply