Painting can be a great way to give a room, office, or house a fresh start. Whether it’s a bright new colour, or the creation of a more calming space, we know that colour can really change the way you feel in a space. But at the end of the day, there’s probably another colour on your mind: green. As society works to make things more environmentally friendly, that includes improvement projects like painting. No matter what colour you’re putting on the walls, here are some tips to ensure that your Toronto painting projects are as green and environmentally friendly as possible.
Use Low VOC Paint
The strong smell of “new paint” comes from Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). More brands are starting to offer low VOC options in both interior and exterior paints. These paints release fewer toxic fumes and they also make cleanup and disposal easier as they aren’t deemed hazardous waste. You won’t need strong solvents to help with cleanup either, which is a nice perk as well. Low VOC paint also offers the same or better coverage as other paint, and are at a similar price point to other high-quality paint.
Measure Quantity Carefully
Your company likely already takes steps to ensure that they don’t over purchase materials for a job, but ensuring that you don’t purchase and open too much paint is a great way to reduce your environmental impact. Having enough paint that you can leave a small amount with the home or business owner for touch ups can be nice, but try to avoid having extra whole cans! If you do overestimate the amount of paint required and can’t use it for a future job, you could consider donating it to a local theatre company or other organization who might be able to use it.
Reuse Where Possible
Some materials for painting projects in Toronto aren’t practical to reuse, but where possible, this can be a great way to reduce waste on both individual projects and for your company as a whole. You’re probably already reusing some tools, but consider whether you can reuse a drop cloth or drapes to cover furniture between projects. Paint trays may also be reused, or you can purchase recyclable inserts that can be used with a sturdier tray across projects. Cleaning brushes effectively and storing them properly can also extend their life. Reusing is not only good for the environment but can save you some money as well.
Dispose Safely
There will inevitably be things that need to be disposed of at the end of a project. If you have empty paint cans, make sure to let them dry out uncovered so that any vapours don’t get trapped in the can. Check with the City of Toronto about the best way to dispose of the type of paint that you are using. Keeping paint out of waterways by not dumping paint or paint-filled water down storm drains or sinks is a great way to keep your disposal eco-friendly. Some containers and packaging can also be recycled, so be sure to check before throwing away cardboard, hard plastics, or cartons.
Follow these steps to keep your Toronto painting projects more environmentally friendly. For more training opportunities and information about joining IUPAT as a Toronto painter, contact us here!
