| Demystifying 'Eco' Paints |
It has become common to see the term ‘eco paints’ in the marketing of many new entrant paints to the UK market, but what does this term really mean? Is there such a thing as an 'eco paint' and how does it differ from a conventional paint? What should consumers be considering when weighing up the various environmental claims from paint brands? This website aims to lift the lid on the paint industry and demystify the ‘eco paint’ marketing claim that can be very misleading. We will explain what a typical paint is made of and explain some of the chemistry behind the label. ‘Demystifying Eco Paints’ is brought to you by the British Coatings Federation, the not-for-profit trade body that represents the paint manufacturers behind 98% of the decorative paint sold in the UK, both in retail stores and online. What is paint made of?All paints, ‘eco’, ‘natural’ or just plain regular paints contain chemicals that make the product function. Paints are made up of the following building blocks:
What are ‘natural’ paints’?Pretty much all paints that contain some ‘natural’ raw materials, for example, water and calcium carbonate (chalk). However, some paint companies specifically market their paints as ‘natural’, these may be paints that utilise raw materials such as slaked lime (in limewash) and linseed oil. It is however, worth noting that just because a substance is ‘natural’ does not mean that it is better or necessarily less harmful than synthetic alternatives. For example, lead pigments were used for centuries, and we now have much safer synthetic alternatives. Linseed oil was traditionally used in paints as a natural binder, but it has also been the cause of major fires at paint manufacturing sites. Some paints may also contain ‘natural’ raw materials as well as more modern ingredients. Some ‘natural’ paints may not be as durable as conventional paints, and may be more difficult to apply. Professional application is usually recommended for products such as limewash and mineral paints. Limewash is also highly alkaline, therefore skin and eye contact during application must be avoided to prevent burns. What is an ‘eco’ paint?‘Eco’ is quite a vague term; it is important for companies making these kinds of statements about their products to be precise about what they mean by this. Most decorative paints are water-based and safe to use, so it could be argued that pretty much any water-based decorative paint is an ‘eco’ paint. When green claims are made about a product it is important that they are backed up by evidence. To support this, the paint industry has developed a Green Claims Guide to help companies make these types of claims in a responsible way and to allow customers to make informed decisions. Is paint vegan?Most decorative paints do not use animal-derived ingredients. However, there may be some exceptions to this. For example, glycerol, which is used to create a basic ingredient of some paints (although the majority of glycerol would be considered vegan, it can sometimes be derived from animal fat). Other examples include casein, which is derived from animal milk, and lanolin waxes (from sheep). However, it should be noted that due to chemical regulations such as REACH, many of the raw materials used in paints will have been tested on animals. Paints themselves are not tested on animals. How can I check if certain environmental claims are true?In an ever more competitive marketplace, the manufacturers of decorative paints often rely on unique selling points to make their products stand out. Some companies, however, may be misleading consumers with unsubstantiated green claims about their products. Due to concerns about the potential for consumers to be misled, the Competition and Markets Authority has produced a Green Claims Code, which includes tips for consumers to help them spot false claims. It’s important to remember that terms such as ‘eco’, ‘natural’ and ‘non-toxic’ don’t mean anything on their own – any claims like these must be supported with evidence to back them up. The EU also has concerns about these type of claims, and they are looking to introduce a Green Claims Directive to give consumers more protection from false or misleading claims. The BCF aims to help create a level playing field for the industry by debunking and fact-checking some of these claims. In March 2022, we launched our Green Claims Guide for Decorative Paints to address this topic. BCF Green Claims Guide Do all paints contain VOCs?Most decorative paints sold in the UK are water-based, meaning that they give off only minimal or trace levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) during drying. VOCs may lead to poor indoor air quality and can release chemicals that can contribute to pollution of the atmosphere and global warming. There are now water-based alternatives for painting doors and skirting boards which used to be painted with traditional solvent based paints. Traditional solvent-based paints might have contained more than 50% VOCs, whereas water-based paints often contain less than 0.3% VOCs. This is why you may have noticed that paints are less smelly these days! There will always be a trace element of VOCs, even if no raw materials containing VOCs have been added. Even water can contain trace amounts of VOC. This is why we don’t think it’s reasonable to use terms like ‘VOC-free’. Look out for the BCF VOC Globe on the label - if you are looking for as little VOC content as possible look for the ‘TRACE VOC’ Globe. You can find out more about the BCF VOC Globe scheme at the link below. Not all paint companies use the BCF VOC Globe, but they are all required to include the VOC content on the label. Learn More
Why does paint smell during application?Paints may smell due to the release of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), even though all water-based paints only contain minimal or trace amounts. VOCs are chemicals which evaporate quickly and easily. They are often used exactly for the purpose of producing a smell, for example in candles, perfumes and other types of fragrances. The fact that they evaporate so quickly is also useful for other types of products, for example in window cleaners so that they leave a streak-free finish. They may also be released when you are cooking,. In paints, a high level of VOCs can contribute to the paint drying more quickly, and can have other benefits such as improved durability and high sheen. However, for the majority of decorative applications there are water-based options that will have minimal or trace levels of VOCs. This means that many paints are now low odour. 
Are all paints breathable?Breathability is all about whether a paint allows water vapour to pass through it, and some paints are more breathable than others. Water-based paints tend to be more breathable than solvent or oil-based paints. However, the degree of breathability depends on various factors in the paint formulation. In some settings, low breathability is preferable in order to protect the surface. For example, in kitchens and bathrooms you might want to protect your walls from high levels of moisture. Conversely, some historic buildings need to be painted with highly breathable paints due to the traditional construction materials used. Mineral paints such as limewash are more breathable than conventional paints, but they aren’t as durable and don’t offer as much protection or coverage to the surface. 
Can paints absorb carbon dioxide from the air?You may have come across some claims about lime paints that can absorb carbon dioxide from the air. It’s important to note that while these paints may absorb some carbon dioxide, this is only while the paint is drying, and therefore for a limited period of time only. In addition, it’s worth noting that the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed during the drying process is generally the same amount of carbon dioxide that is emitted during production of the lime used in the paint. This does not mean that the process is carbon neutral, as there is energy used to produce lime-based paints. 
Is paint a sustainable product?Paints add colour to the spaces we inhabit and the objects we use. They protect and renew our homes and our belongings, so that they stay in a good condition for longer and don’t need replacing or repairing as often as they would otherwise. And all the time, whilst providing those sustainability benefits, the paints sector itself is always looking to continue to improve its own environmental performance. From changing raw materials used for better environmental outcomes to minimising waste and recycling in manufacturing processes, the sector has made huge progress in recent decades. Three out of every four cans of paint sold in the UK are made in the UK. And, according to the WWF carbon report (March 2020), there has been a five-fold reduction in the carbon footprint of coatings consumption, and a two-fold reduction of the carbon footprint of coatings production. However, we know there is much more to do and you can read more about how the sector is planning to tackle some of these challenges in our recently published Net Zero Roadmap. Net Zero Roadmap What’s the carbon footprint of a paint?The carbon footprint of a paint is calculated by summing the emissions resulting from every stage of that paint’s lifetime (including production, manufacturing, use and end-of-life). Paint manufacturing itself is not a particularly energy intensive process. The largest contribution to the carbon footprint of paints comes from the ingredients (or raw materials), that is, the carbon emissions from the supply chain (also called scope 3 upstream emissions). Most large paint manufacturing organisations are required to comply with carbon reporting schemes and disclose their carbon footprint data in their annual reports and/or websites. You could also review our Net Zero roadmap. Which ingredients used in paint have a large carbon footprint?Raw materials such as titanium dioxide (TiO2) are known to be energy intensive. Titanium dioxide is a really important chemical for paints, and is typically needed in all paints – be they branded “eco”, “natural” or any other name. It is a white pigment, but it isn’t only used in white paints – it’s used in paints of all different colours. This is because it’s highly opaque and is vital for achieving vibrant colours, excellent coverage and resistance to UV light. It really is a superstar ingredient for modern paints. Unfortunately, it can represent up to 60% of a paint’s carbon footprint! However, there is no direct replacement at present. It’s worth noting that titanium dioxide is also used in many other household products too, such as cosmetics, toothpaste, soap, etc. Can more sustainable raw materials be used as ingredients?Bio-based materials are raw materials that come from renewable sources in nature, as opposed to non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels. The bio-based market has grown quite significantly in recent years, and further advances will help contribute towards a circular economy. Incorporating bio-based raw materials into a paint formulation may reduce the carbon footprint, and some paint companies are starting to use these types of raw materials to reduce their environmental impact. It’s a technical challenge for paint companies to improve the sustainability of their paints while also ensuring that the paint continues to perform well and up to customer expectations. There are also recycled raw materials starting to appear on the market that may be used in paint formulations. It’s also worth noting that most water-based paints are packaged in recycled plastic tubs. Is there plastic in paint?It depends what you mean by plastic! As mentioned previously, paints contain resins (or binders), which are added to help the pigment stick to the wall or other surface, and when dried form a film to prevent the paint from being washed off. Resins or binders, even those made from renewable sources are all polymers (a type of chemical made up of many repeating units of smaller molecules). The film that resins or binders form could be considered a ‘plastic’ film, 'when/if' you consider the definition of plastic being a polymer that is solid. 
Are decorative paints harmful or toxic?Decorative paints are not toxic to health, and not harmful when used to paint your home. The public are rightly concerned about ensuring the products they use in their homes are safe, and won’t adversely affect their family’s health. Chemicals, including those used in paints, are strictly regulated in the UK. In many cases, the only hazardous ingredient in water-based paints is the preservative, which is there to preserve the paint and extend its shelf-life, so that it is in its best condition when you are ready to use it. Paints are considerably safer than they used to be. In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution brought about the mass production of paints. Unfortunately, some of the raw materials used were harmful or toxic, for example lead and arsenic. The 20th century saw the development of safer alternatives, including synthetic pigments and water-based rather than solvent-based products. If you are concerned about the potential of lead paint in older properties, please visit our FAQs on lead paint. Learn More
Why do paints contain preservatives?Water-based paints can essentially act as ‘food’ for bacteria, mould and yeast. Preservatives are used to prevent these microbes from attacking the paint while it is in the tin. Without the use of preservatives, the paint would spoil quite quickly, making it unusable and rather smelly! The preservative may continue to protect the paint even after the tin has been opened. There is also the added benefit that the growth of mould continues to be suppressed for some time after the paint has been applied. The use of preservatives allows us to make water-based paints, which don’t contain as many Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Paints that are based on organic solvents other than water don’t require preservatives, but of course they will have much higher level of VOCs, and they are flammable and have a much stronger odour which lingers. How can I be environmentally conscious when cleaning paint brushes and tools?The British Coatings Federation and the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) have collaborated to produce a video to show consumer how to clean their paintbrushes and rollers sustainably. This is an industry effort to help consumers save time, money and resources when painting, whilst at the same time be more sustainable. Watch the video
Is paint recyclable?Liquid paint has been banned from landfill for several years. However, in many parts of the UK it’s still recommended to solidify and dispose to landfill what could be perfectly good paint which could be reused or remanufactured. Proudly led by the BCF, the PaintCare scheme aims to increase the re-use or re-manufacture rate of leftover paint from just 2% today to 75% by 2030. The idea is that in future instead of leaving old tins of paint languishing in the shed for years, you will be able to bring it to your local PaintCare drop-off point so that it can be re-used or re-manufactured. Learn More |
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