Waitakere City Council is promoting best
practice for paint use for commercial painters as
well as residents undertaking DIY work or hiring
painters.
Below are some simple paint EnviroTips in the areas of
purchasing paint, using it and the correct options
for disposing of it - essentially keeping it from
getting into the city’s natural ecosystems.
The best way to save waste is to avoid over-purchasing.
Carefully measure up the area you plan to paint and use the
coverage recommendations on the side of the paint can, ask
your paint shop staff for assistance, or use the
online
paint calculator*. If you have calculated how much you need
and find you have paint left at the end of the job, you have
probably applied it too thinly - in which case the best idea
is to paint an extra coat to give the surface full
protection as a thin coat means that the paint finish will
not wear as well. Don't be tempted to buy an unnecessarily
large pack size just because it is on special - remember the
best deal is the one that gives you just the paint you need.
Choose waterborne/acrylic paints instead of oil-based/solventborne
Waterborne/acrylic paints have a number of benefits over
oil-based/solventborne paints. Waterborne/acrylic paints;
Have a lower odour and release lower volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), which is better for the environment and
the health of the painter and occupants.
Have easy water wash up – saves having to use nasty solvents
that can be aggressive on skin and can aggravate allergies,
plus it means you can more easily clean out brushes and
rollers and use them on your next project saving you money.
Are faster drying than their solventborne counterparts.
Don’t yellow (solventborne enamels tend to yellow
when used inside in dark areas).
Generally last longer than solventborne.
Choose safer alternatives
For example Environmental Choice* approved products. These
meet specific conditions endorsed by the Minister for the
Environment. Look for the Environmental Choice tick on paint
cans.
*To be awarded a licence, paint products must meet a list
of stringent conditions including:
Not be formulated or manufactured with formaldehyde
Not be formulated or manufactured with halogenated
solvents
Not contain volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) in excess
of 70g per litre of paint
Not be formulated or manufactured with any substances
listed with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in groups 1, 2A or 2B
Be packaged in recyclable packaging.
These conditions mean a better quality working environment
for the applicator and reduced negative impact upon the
environment (compared with non Environmental Choice approved
products).
Buy good quality paint
Lower quality paint, while cheaper initially is a false
economy. Generally cheaper paint will break down quicker
meaning you will have to repaint again sooner. The biggest
cost of any painting job is the labour - whether this is a
painter you hire or your own time. It is better to spend a
little more on the paint and get a longer life from it than
to try to save a few dollars and take years off the paint
finish. If you buy a lower quality paint with an expected
life of 4-5 years, this means over an 8 year period you will
probably have to paint twice. In contrast if you bought a
high quality paint with an expected life of 7-8 years you
would only need to paint once during this period. The burden
on the environment is also considerably less with higher
quality paints that last longer.
Prepare surfaces with care
Removing Paint Safely
There are many methods to remove old paint safely to ensure the least harm is done to the person and the environment
click here
to find the method which best suits the job your doing.
If you are working outside ensure that any washwater or liquids are contained and not allowed to go down the outside (stormwater) drains as these lead directly to the nearest waterway and can harm aquatic life and degrade the water quality.
The easiest option is to dig a small hole in a grassed area and divert the liquids to it.
Using Paint
Be an efficient painter
Brushes or rollers can transfer contamination from the
surface you are painting back into the paint. The best way
to work with paint is to tip out a small volume into a
separate paint pot and use this for painting. Pour out only
what you need for the job. This will leave the paint in the
main paint can fresh and untouched by your brush or roller.
Save unnecessary washing up by wrapping your brush in
plastic wrap or place your roller in a plastic bag, squeeze
out the air and tie the bag securely around the handle of
the roller using a rubber band or tie top. This will keep
the paint fresh while you are taking a break and will save
you having to rinse out brushes and rollers repeatedly.
Use safe cleaning methods
Clean out brushes and rollers only on grassed areas or
inside sewer drains. Remember: Outside drains are for rain
only!
Use a simple safe cleaning system
A simple cleaning method involves the use of two containers
in which brushes, roller sleeves and other equipment are
first washed in one container and then rinsed in the other.
By rotating the containers and allowing time for the solids
in the paint to separate from the liquid this makes it
easier to dispose of each component. This system works well
for both water based and solvent (oil or alkyd) based
paints. For solvent based paints mineral turpentine or other
paint solvents can be used. For a full description of the
two container safe cleaning system
click here.
CAUTION:
Never allow wastewater or chemical solvents from washed paint equipment to enter household or stormwater drains or sewers.
The waste may find its way into natural waterways where it can reduce oxygen levels and threaten the survival of fish and other aquatic organisms.
Remember: Outside drains are for rain only!
Planning ahead
When using solventborne paints it's a good idea to keep a
container of 'dirty turps' on hand for cleaning purposes.
Kept in the original container and in a safe place, you will
be able to reuse the solvent time and time again. Remember
not to shake it up as this will disturb the paint solids,
which will have settled to the bottom of the container.
Use up all your paint
If you have leftover paint, use it for touch-up jobs and
smaller projects or add another coat to your paint finish
for extra protection. It is easier and better for the
environment than having to dispose of leftover paint.
Tips for dealing with spills:
If paint is accidentally spilt, clean it up as best as you
can with a cloth, newspaper or absorbent material such as
kitty litter or even dirt. Do not wash down outside areas
with any liquids as they may end up in stormwater drains and
then your local waterway.
Disposing of Paint
Store paint so it lasts for years
A properly stored paint can last for years. Cover the top of
the paint can with plastic wrap, place the lid on securely
and store upside down. The paint will create a tight seal
around the lid and will remain fresher for when you next
wish to use it. Store away from extreme heat or cold, and
anywhere where it could spill onto the ground.
Donate to charity
If you can't use your leftover paint, donate it to local
community groups, schools or art groups. You'll save them
money and get the best use out of your paint leftovers at
the same time. Make sure you donate the paint in its
original container with the contents clearly marked so the
recipient knows what they are receiving and how to handle
it. It is best to donate paint as soon as you discover you
don't need it while it is still is good condition, rather
than holding onto it just in case.
Reuse packaging materials
Clean out paint cans and pails and reuse them as paint pots
or buckets. Use inside drains (not the stormwater drains) or
wash onto your lawn.
Recycle the paint and the leftover paint can
Once you've used up your paint, recycle the empty steel
paint can - simply allow the contents to dry out and check
with your paint supplier for
take back schemes, for example,
the
Resene PaintWise drop-off service.
Unwanted Resene
branded paint is free to drop-off and there is a small
charge for non-Resene branded paints. Paint packaging is
recycled and good paint is redistributed to community groups
and anti-graffiti programmes.
The service is available at the Henderson ColorShop at 32
Paramount Drive, and the New Lynn ColorShop at 24 Clark
Street.
Free drop-off for household quantities of hazardous waste
(up to 6 tins of paint) at 50 The Concourse, Henderson.
Extra Information for Commercial Painters
When moving from one worksite to another:
A plastic pail with a tight fitting lid is ideal for the
short term storage and transport of brushes and roller
sleeves. Fill this pail about half way with water so that
brushes etc are covered. This will save you from having to
clean brushes and rollers whenever work is interrupted.
Wrapping a paint brush in cling wrap will prevent the paint
drying on the brush for at least an hour or so while you
take a lunch break. Similarly put your roller into a plastic
bag and tape it around the handle.
Disposing of unwanted paint and paint packaging
Dispose responsibly of unwanted paint and paint packaging by
reusing or recycling. Leave leftovers with the client for
touch-ups or donate leftover paint to local community
groups, schools or art groups. Alternatively ask your paint
supplier about take-back schemes. For example, the
Resene
Paintwise service will collect leftover paint and paint
packaging from your site, then recycle the packaging and
redistribute the good paint to community groups and
anti-graffiti programmes.
Remember that solvents can also be recycled - visit the
RONZ
recycling directory .
Have a Spill Response Plan:
Spills of environmentally harmful materials can happen
anywhere at any time, polluting land and water. The best
thing is to be well prepared for any eventuality or accident
which may happen at the work site. Have a
spill response
plan and a spill kit with you at all times.
For spill kit providers refer to the
yellow pages
Automotive painting and panelbeating
If your day-to-day activities involve painting, sanding/wet
sanding or any other vehicle body repair activities using
paints, solvents, thinners or detergents, then before you
begin you should consider the potential your activity has to
pollute the environment.
click here for some simple tips for the smash repair industry.
In November 2006 three Waitakere based painting companies
embarked on a 6-month environmental improvement programme
for their business. This included developing an
environmental policy for their company, reviewing and
formalising their standard operating procedures, formalising
contingency procedures such as spill response plans and
generally looking at if there were any ways that their
company could "do things better." To read about what the
companies did click on the links below to go to the case
studies.
