Paint Dilemma
I would like to paint some cabinet doors in our garage a basic shade of white. The previous owners of our house were gracious enough to leave behind the paint that had been used in previous house projects, perhaps 12 gallons of various shades and textures (including white) of conventional Kelly-Moore paint, all of it purchased within the last five years.
The eco-buzzword these days when considering paint is "VOC content." VOC stands for "volatile organic compounds," which is, essentially, the stinky chemicals in paint that can cause headaches and aren't particularly healthy to be around. These chemicals do eventually dissipate into the air once the paint dries, but all this means is that everyone else's air has become just a slightly bit more toxic.
The Kelly-Moore paints that we inherited have a VOC content of <150 grams per liter, which is in compliance with EPA standards (max. 200 g/L) as well as the stricter regulations of the California Air Resources Board (max. 150 g/L). However, there are more environmentally friendly alternatives.
Kelly-Moore has a line of interior paints called "Enviro-Cote" with a VOC content ranging from 15-20 g/L and retails for $28.95 per gallon; the Sherwin-Williams "Harmony" line has an even lower VOC content (<10 g/L) and sells for $27.95 per gallon (presently on sale). Both of these cost only a couple bucks more per gallon than conventional paints. I asked the Kelly-Moore folks if they had a "trade-in" policy, where I might be able to receive some store credit for bringing in my old paint. Regretfully they said they did not have such a program.
However, I did learn that as a Butte County resident I can recycle my partially-used paint cans for free at the Butte Regional Household Hazardous Waste Facility over by the Chico Airport.
So here is the dilemma: Do I use the paints that I presently have (there would be plenty to complete the cabinet door job), or do I recycle my existing stockpile and spend $30 on new, eco-savvy paints?
Comments
I say use the existing paint. "Recycle" is the least efficient option of the "Reduce-Reuse-Recycle" mantra. The energy has already been spent to manufacture the paint and transport it to your house. If you have more paint than you can use, consider donating the surplus to a neighbor or a worthy cause.
Posted by: Greg Redeker | August 9, 2007 08:25 AM
would the gas emissions from your car that would be placed in the air from driving to the bank to get the money, and then driving out the airport to drop of the old paint, and then driving across town to home depot to buy the new paint outweigh the VOC from painting your cabinet doors?
or are you going to ride your bike and use your credit card?
i guess my point is, sometimes you're actually less environmentally friendly when you try too hard to be environmentally friendly!
Posted by: meagan dixon | August 9, 2007 09:44 AM
My suggestion is in agreement with the previous two commenters. Simply use what you have.
They are only 5 years old and you are painting cabinets in your garage which is outside of the "enevelope" that people occupy (also outside of conditioned space).
You are at greater risk of long term carbon monoxide exposure from your car and possibly your gas water heater than the VOC's given off as the paint dries.
Posted by: David Kim | August 10, 2007 07:21 AM
Your other option is to open the old cans of paint and let them dry out and then throw them in the trash, which is the way you are supposed to handle old paint if you are not going to take it to a household hazardous waste facility. So if that is one option, you might as well as use it (especially because that is the way the waste handler may handle it anyway if they don't sell or donate it to graffetti abatement programs. Meggan is right, you'd probably emit more pollutants driving your old paint up to the airport.
BTW - using old paint is not "Recycling" in the scheme of things, it would be considered "Reducing". Reducing the consumption of resources by using what is available and not purchasing new stuff when the old will work fine. Paint is one of those comsumer products that can't be recycled. Actually there is an operation in New York that will take old lead-painted wood and smelt the lead out of the paint by burning the wood down, so in that case paint would be recycled, or at least the lead in it would be.
Just don't paint yourself into a corner!
Posted by: The Sustainable Guy | August 10, 2007 07:58 AM
Hi, I work for Kelly-Moore in Yuba City & think this forum is great. I am new here and would like to helpful, hopefully. We actually have a recycling process and a re-manufacturing process that is quite unique. I don't know all the particulars but you can look up "e-Coat" on our website.
I agree w/ the others, if the paint is good & the right material for your project use it.
Reply:
Thank you very much for the information!
Jeremy
Posted by: B. Erickson | July 19, 2008 09:30 PM