Ecofriendly Paints and Finishes
Paints and finishes
Product designers often specify paints and finishes for products. The general rule is to try to minimize emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as well as avoid toxic pigments. This is a place to start the process of finding the best finish for your application.
Powder Coating
Powder coating usually has lower emissions than “wet” paints because it sticks by electrostatic force.
www.powdercoating.org/
The Powder Coating Institute (PCI) represents the North American powder coating industry and communicates the benefits of powder coating to manufacturers, consumers, and government.
powdercc.com/
Powder Coating Net lists services, products and discussion topics, focused on the industry.
www.powdercoatingonline.com/
Powder coating online contains powder coating information, equipment, suppliers, products & services, glossary of terms, training resources, and locating a powder coater in your area.
www.pfonline.com/powder/
Products Finishing Online gives industry information on painting, plating, powder coating, mechanical finishing, cleaning, pollution control, anodizing, and electro-coating.
www.asf-powder.com/
ASF (Canada) has a process for the powder coating of non-conductive substrates such as plastic resins. The technique is more efficient and environmentally friendlier than wet paint technology or electroplating.
www.corrocoat.com.ph/pc101.htm
Corrocoat provides a summary of what powder coating is, and diagrammatically describes particle charging and application methods. P
http://www.buildinggreen.com/menus/drillBC.cfm?BuilderCategoryID=19
Building Green lists articles on coatings for concrete, masonry and steel, decorative finishes, paints, stains, transparent finishes, mastic removers, natural and lime-based plaster, paint strippers, recycled paints, specialty sealers, and vapor-retarding coatings.
Toxins
www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/index.asp
ToxFAQs answers the most frequently asked questions about exposure and the toxic substance effects on human health.
Wet Paints
www.greenseal.org/
Greenseal lists paints that have passed their requirements.
www.paint.org
The American Coatings Association gives information about paint, listing organizations, publications, and videos.
www.generalfinishes.com/tips/waterbase-finishing-tips/waterbase-tips.htm
General Finishes offers advice on the application of their water and milk-based paints, explains what kind of environment they can be used in and how to maintain them.
www.automotive.dupont.com/en/productServices/paintCoatings/metalExterior.html
DuPont provides information about automobile paints and coatings (interior and exterior) and describes properties, application techniques and environmental facts on each product.
www.aurousa.com
Auro paints, stains and sealers from Germany claim not to emit solvent vapors and demonstrate high technical performance. Their binding agents are made exclusively from regenerative raw materials.
www.milkpaint.com/
Milk Paint is made from milk protein, lime, clay, and pigments such as ochre, umber, iron oxide, and lampblack.
www.greenbuildingsupply.com/Public/Non-ToxicFinishes/index.cfm
Green building supply provides an index of nontoxic and low impact paints and finishes.
greenhomeguide.com/know-how/article/selecting-healthy-and-environmentally-sound-finishes
The Green Guide explains advantages and disadvantages of various wood finishes
www.ecospaints.net/
ECOS paints claim to be environmentally friendly.
www.saf.com/
Southern Aluminum Finishing discusses anodizing, painting, and powder coating and the environmental advantages/disadvantages of each.
www.turi.org/library/turi_publications/five_chemicals_study/final_report/chapter_6_hexavalent_chromium
The Toxics Use Reduction Institute gives information on Chromium compounds in finishing and their damage to people and the ecology.
www.rivannadesigns.com/environmental/materials/finishes.html
Rivanna Natural Designs offers what it claims are environmentally friendly wood finishes.
www.toolbase.org/Technology-Inventory/Interior-Partitions-Ceilings/low-voc-paints
Toolbase describes reasons to use lower impact paints and finishes.
www.bioshieldpaint.com/
Bioshield reviews how its paint finishes are environmentally sound.
www.ez-paint.com/
The EZ-Paint site claims that its spray paints are low impacting.
www.ecofriendlyfinishes.com/
Eco Friendly finishes’ specializes in green cabinetry, furniture, and millwork finishing.
www.re-nest.com/re-nest/roundup/roundup-ecofriendly-stains-108464
Re-nest design lists low impact stains with low-VOC’s.
www.aacoa.com/
The AAOCA company site explains the anodizing process of aluminum, which exudes no VOC’s but does emit caustic and acidic vapors.
pc.dupont.com/
Dupont offers many color options of paints; msds sheets are provided.
www.fleetwoodusa.com/Documents/Paint_Finish.php
Fleetwood offers paint for specific geographical locations.
ecm.ncms.org/ERI/new/IRRpaintcoating.htm
ECM has information on environmental regulations and references other external links.
cms.h2e-online.org/ee/facilities/materials-of-concern/paints/
GreenHealth gives a thorough introduction to paints and solvents.
eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_paints.htm
Earth easy lists paints and finishes that meet criteria set by EPA.
www.sustainablebuild.co.uk/NonToxicPaint.html
Sustainable build sells non-toxic paint and finishes.
www.earthpaint.net/
Earthpaint explains why it is important to use non-toxic paints and resins.
www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/feb/09/eco-natural-paints-guide-best
The Guardian compares conventional and eco-paints, with information links.
greenindustryresource.com/
Green Industry resource provides a search for coatings that includes filters for VOC, energy star, etc.
www.afmsafecoat.com/
The AFM Safecoat site lists paint, primer, finishes and associated chemicals that they use, explaining why they are environmentally friendly.
www.zolatone.com/
All paints from Zolatone satisfy LEED credits.
www.ecospaints.net/
Ecospaints is an international distributor of eco-friendly paints and finishes.
Product designers often specify paints and finishes for products. The general rule is to try to minimize emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as well as avoid toxic pigments. This is a place to start the process of finding the best finish for your application.
Powder Coating
Powder coating usually has lower emissions than “wet” paints because it sticks by electrostatic force.
www.powdercoating.org/
The Powder Coating Institute (PCI) represents the North American powder coating industry and communicates the benefits of powder coating to manufacturers, consumers, and government.
powdercc.com/
Powder Coating Net lists services, products and discussion topics, focused on the industry.
www.powdercoatingonline.com/
Powder coating online contains powder coating information, equipment, suppliers, products & services, glossary of terms, training resources, and locating a powder coater in your area.
www.pfonline.com/powder/
Products Finishing Online gives industry information on painting, plating, powder coating, mechanical finishing, cleaning, pollution control, anodizing, and electro-coating.
www.asf-powder.com/
ASF (Canada) has a process for the powder coating of non-conductive substrates such as plastic resins. The technique is more efficient and environmentally friendlier than wet paint technology or electroplating.
www.corrocoat.com.ph/pc101.htm
Corrocoat provides a summary of what powder coating is, and diagrammatically describes particle charging and application methods. P
http://www.buildinggreen.com/menus/drillBC.cfm?BuilderCategoryID=19
Building Green lists articles on coatings for concrete, masonry and steel, decorative finishes, paints, stains, transparent finishes, mastic removers, natural and lime-based plaster, paint strippers, recycled paints, specialty sealers, and vapor-retarding coatings.
Toxins
www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/index.asp
ToxFAQs answers the most frequently asked questions about exposure and the toxic substance effects on human health.
Wet Paints
www.greenseal.org/
Greenseal lists paints that have passed their requirements.
www.paint.org
The American Coatings Association gives information about paint, listing organizations, publications, and videos.
www.generalfinishes.com/tips/waterbase-finishing-tips/waterbase-tips.htm
General Finishes offers advice on the application of their water and milk-based paints, explains what kind of environment they can be used in and how to maintain them.
www.automotive.dupont.com/en/productServices/paintCoatings/metalExterior.html
DuPont provides information about automobile paints and coatings (interior and exterior) and describes properties, application techniques and environmental facts on each product.
www.aurousa.com
Auro paints, stains and sealers from Germany claim not to emit solvent vapors and demonstrate high technical performance. Their binding agents are made exclusively from regenerative raw materials.
www.milkpaint.com/
Milk Paint is made from milk protein, lime, clay, and pigments such as ochre, umber, iron oxide, and lampblack.
www.greenbuildingsupply.com/Public/Non-ToxicFinishes/index.cfm
Green building supply provides an index of nontoxic and low impact paints and finishes.
greenhomeguide.com/know-how/article/selecting-healthy-and-environmentally-sound-finishes
The Green Guide explains advantages and disadvantages of various wood finishes
www.ecospaints.net/
ECOS paints claim to be environmentally friendly.
www.saf.com/
Southern Aluminum Finishing discusses anodizing, painting, and powder coating and the environmental advantages/disadvantages of each.
www.turi.org/library/turi_publications/five_chemicals_study/final_report/chapter_6_hexavalent_chromium
The Toxics Use Reduction Institute gives information on Chromium compounds in finishing and their damage to people and the ecology.
www.rivannadesigns.com/environmental/materials/finishes.html
Rivanna Natural Designs offers what it claims are environmentally friendly wood finishes.
www.toolbase.org/Technology-Inventory/Interior-Partitions-Ceilings/low-voc-paints
Toolbase describes reasons to use lower impact paints and finishes.
www.bioshieldpaint.com/
Bioshield reviews how its paint finishes are environmentally sound.
www.ez-paint.com/
The EZ-Paint site claims that its spray paints are low impacting.
www.ecofriendlyfinishes.com/
Eco Friendly finishes’ specializes in green cabinetry, furniture, and millwork finishing.
www.re-nest.com/re-nest/roundup/roundup-ecofriendly-stains-108464
Re-nest design lists low impact stains with low-VOC’s.
www.aacoa.com/
The AAOCA company site explains the anodizing process of aluminum, which exudes no VOC’s but does emit caustic and acidic vapors.
pc.dupont.com/
Dupont offers many color options of paints; msds sheets are provided.
www.fleetwoodusa.com/Documents/Paint_Finish.php
Fleetwood offers paint for specific geographical locations.
ecm.ncms.org/ERI/new/IRRpaintcoating.htm
ECM has information on environmental regulations and references other external links.
cms.h2e-online.org/ee/facilities/materials-of-concern/paints/
GreenHealth gives a thorough introduction to paints and solvents.
eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_paints.htm
Earth easy lists paints and finishes that meet criteria set by EPA.
www.sustainablebuild.co.uk/NonToxicPaint.html
Sustainable build sells non-toxic paint and finishes.
www.earthpaint.net/
Earthpaint explains why it is important to use non-toxic paints and resins.
www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/feb/09/eco-natural-paints-guide-best
The Guardian compares conventional and eco-paints, with information links.
greenindustryresource.com/
Green Industry resource provides a search for coatings that includes filters for VOC, energy star, etc.
www.afmsafecoat.com/
The AFM Safecoat site lists paint, primer, finishes and associated chemicals that they use, explaining why they are environmentally friendly.
www.zolatone.com/
All paints from Zolatone satisfy LEED credits.
www.ecospaints.net/
Ecospaints is an international distributor of eco-friendly paints and finishes.
 Jordan Maurice |
 Bruce Campbell |
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 Dave Bramston |
 Joshua Plotkin |
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