Where can I get eco-friendly paint?

Where can I get eco-friendly paint?

Ans:The first place to explore is the GVRD green building product directory www.gvrd.bc.ca/buildsmart. The way to know if paint is eco-friendly is to first check if it is Greenseal certified or stipulates no or low VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Most of the major paint companies (Cloverdale, B. Moore, Dulux, etc) have a product line that is low VOC and which is largely price comparable with conventional paint. Paint that has NO VOC’s is generally a bit more expensive. Bear in mind that the VOC’s are largely related to the pigment so the darker the colour the more VOCs.

There are also some companies in the States that sell recycled paint but as yet, is not available here. If you find recycled paint for sale in Vancouver, please let Light House know. You can also visit some of the directories on our website: http://www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com/forum-topic/green_building_wikis, and specifically, http://www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com/forum-topic/where_to_find_information_about_green_building_products.

Alternately, natural paints such as Bioshield include things like milk, lime and plant oils. I am not sure if CBR in North Vancouver sells natural paint but it is worth a call. You can buy Bioshield online at:

http://www.greenbuildingsupply.com/includes/showObject.cfm?independentPage=showInContext&objectID=368&objectType=Product&defaultLocation=SiteModel_public,103,/dbc/methods/Product/display/productDisplay_fullinfo_related_m1.cfm

Other tips:
-Follow the Master Painters’ Institute specifications: http://www.paintinfo.com/mpi/guide/index.htm to ensure you use the paint or stain correctly. This will minimize wastage and optimize performance.
-Dispose of spare paint at a correct facility (don’t put it down the drain). Call the recycling council of BC to find out about recycling facilities in your area http://www.rcbc.bc.ca
-Consider pre-finished exterior cladding products.