Building Maintenance - Paint

Buying the right amount of paint saves money and reduces leftover paint. If any paint becomes leftover, store it properly and use it later.

An estimated two million gallons of leftover paint are collected in California each year. [1] There are two types of recycled paint: reprocessed and reblended. Reprocessed paints are high-quality and generally tested to meet the same standards as virgin paints, [2] while reblended paints are consolidated leftover paints. Purchase recycled-content paints to support a market for leftover paint collected through local recycling programs. Buy recycled-content paints with a minimum content of 50 percent postconsumer content.

Many paints contain high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Look for zero-VOC or low-VOC paints, which are most often water-based. (All architectural coatings sold in California are required to have the VOC content on the container.)

Paint can contain a variety of compounds hazardous to health including carcinogens and irritants. Paint odors can be annoying to building occupants and can be accompanied by eye, nose, throat, and respiratory irritation. Examine the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) to learn about names of all ingredients in the paint that have been determined to be health hazards. Note that ingredients less than 1 percent, and carcinogens less than 0.1 percent of the paint composition are not required to be listed.

Avoid paints containing heavy metals and other hazards that can cause health risks. Favor latex over oil-based paints, which generate hazardous clean-up wastes.

Buy only the amount of paint needed for the job to avoid managing leftover paint. Store any leftover paint properly for future use. If leftover paint cannot be re-used in the next few years before its quality degrades, it should be donated for re-use and recycled properly by taking it to a hazardous waste consolidation facility or by contracting with a licensed hazardous waste hauler to pick it up (in California, leftover paint destined for disposal becomes a hazardous waste that cannot be disposed of in landfills; therefore, it must be reused, reprocessed, or recycled into a usable product). Contact Earth 911 for a local recycler.

See the Introduction for complete descriptions of these environmental and health issues.

• Background and Environmental and Health Issues
  • Prevents Waste
  • Recycled Content
  • Air Quality
  • Less Hazardous
• Laws and Guidelines
• Performance
• Availability
• Cost
• Specifications
• Vendors
• Success Stories
• Resources

BACKGROUND AND ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH ISSUES

All environmentally preferable paints referred to in this guide are waterborne, or water-based, latex paints. Oil-based paints (also known as solvent-based paints, or alkyd paints) are not recommended, because they are not available in low-volatile organic compound (VOC) blends, less toxic formulations, or recycled-content paints. At this time, no North American plant will recycle oil-based paint into recycled paint. All of the collected oil-based paint is blended with fuels and burned for its combustion energy value. Therefore, all references to paint in this guide refer to latex paints unless otherwise specified.

Californians purchase approximately 100 million gallons of paint and other coatings each year. [3]

Did you know:

• A growing number of paints are made from recycled paint?
• Many paints now contain lower levels of VOCs, which helps to reduce the smells and off-gassing that are commonly associated with fresh paint?
• Less-toxic paints perform well without using heavy metals and other toxic chemicals?

Recycled-content, zero/low-VOC, or less toxic paint is an alternative to traditional paint that offers environmental and health benefits.

Recycled Paint
Purchasing recycled paint is necessary to "close the loop" so that paint collected in recycling programs goes back into a usable commodity. The Product Stewardship Institute estimates that conservatively, at least five percent of all paint sold becomes leftover paint, [4] totaling more than four million gallons of leftover paint each year in California alone. This leftover paint represents a collection challenge if recycled properly, and an environmental risk if disposed improperly. The four million gallons of leftover paint each year are a potential commodity that can be used to make recycled paint; unfortunately, less than half of the leftover paint is properly collected and recycled each year. The uncollected amounts may be improperly disposed of in trash (ending up in landfills), or may be poured down storm drains (harming aquatic life), or may be poured down sinks (interfering with proper wastewater treatment). When paint can't be swapped or used, the highest and best use of the leftover paint is to reblend or reprocess it into recycled paint.

Much of the collected latex paint is currently being blended as an additive to concrete, or is stock-piled in warehouses waiting for purchase. Paint buyers have an opportunity to improve the entire paint recycling infrastructure and collection through the purchase of recycled paint.

Environmental and Health Issues

Prevents Waste

There are a number of ways to reduce paint waste. Before purchasing paint, measure the area to be painted. Talk with suppliers and read product information to determine the right amount of paint to purchase. Store leftover paint for future use by securing the paint lid tightly (loosely covering a container of paint dries it out) and store in an area that will not allow the paint to freeze (frozen paint becomes unusable).

Recycled Content

Recycled paint is made from paint collected through public and private collection programs. Collected paints are screened for usability and quality. Virgin materials such as resins and colorants can be added, and the products may be tested before packaging and resale. Recycled paint contains 20 percent to 100 percent postconsumer content.

There are two types of recycled-content paint: reprocessed and reblended. Although both types originate from the collection of leftover latex paint, there are important differences.

Reprocessed paint, also called remanufactured paint, is mixed with virgin materials such as resins and colorants, and is then tested, generally by the same tests as those done on virgin paints, before packaging for resale. [5] Reprocessed paint typically contains a minimum of 50 percent postconsumer content.

Reblended paint, also called consolidated paint, is re-mixed, screened, and packaged for distribution. Virgin raw materials such as resins and colorants may be added in small quantities. Minimal testing is applied to reblended paint. Typically, reblended paint contains more than 95 percent postconsumer content, with ranges between 75 percent to 100 percent postconsumer content.

What to look for: Consider the application to determine which type of recycled paint is appropriate. Look for reprocessed paint if a higher quality product is needed and look for paint labeled or sold as "recycled paint" with at least 50 percent postconsumer content. See Vendors for sources.

Air Quality

All oil and many latex-based paints contain organic solvents to disperse and bind other paint components. These organic solvents are the major ingredients that contribute to indoor VOC levels when paints are applied inside a building. Many VOCs in paints are known to cause human health effects, and some VOCs may play a role in the constellation of sick building syndrome (e.g., headaches, fatigue, eye and upper respiratory irritation). [6] There are outdoor and indoor air quality considerations for paint.

Indoors

Californians spend about 87 percent of their time indoors. [7] Pollutants like VOCs that are emitted indoors have many times the likelihood to be inhaled than comparable outdoor emissions. It is important to use paints that contain zero or low-VOCs indoors. Paints that list they are zero-VOC does not mean they contain no VOCs. These paints may still have colorants, biocides and fungicide, and very low levels of VOCs. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), zero-VOC paints are paints that contain VOCs in the range of five grams/liter or less.

Use of zero-VOC or low-VOC paint may have the added benefit of less objectionable odors and less eye, nose, and respiratory irritation for the painters and building occupants.

Outdoors

In outdoors applications, there are significant findings associated with VOCs from paint contributing to the formation of ground-level ozone and photochemical smog, which have harmful effects on human health. In response to such concerns, more government agencies are acting to limit VOC levels in common products such as architectural paints.

California air emission requirements affect more than 90 percent of paints in use, and have led the industry to develop low-VOC coatings. The most stringent standards have been developed by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) as regulated by Architectural Coatings Rule 1113 (summarized below). [8] These limits are based on reducing ozone formation in the outside air and not on health considerations for indoor air.

VOCs in Recycled Paint. Testing suggests that recycled paints do not exceed VOC limits established for virgin paints. A California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) study reported that reprocessed recycled latex paints tested for VOC levels show a range between 100 and 170 grams/liter, [10] and MetroPaint lab results found that reblended recycled latex paints range from 30 to 100 grams/liter VOCs. [11] Emissions from recycled paints are affected by the emissions in the feedstock paints, which suggest that the level will likely change from batch to batch. However, if the overall supply of paint has fewer emissions, it can be expected that recycled paints made from this feedstock will also have lower emissions.

What to look for: Look for paint labeled or sold as "Low-VOC paint." Look for paints that have 50 grams/liter VOCs or less; or meet the SCAQMD requirements for VOCs. If paint ingredients are not clearly listed on the paint container, ask the vendor for a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Most paint products now have an MSDS available on the manufacturer's Web site.

Use of low-VOC paint may have the added benefit of less objectionable odors and less eye, nose, and respiratory irritation for the painters and building occupants. See Vendors for sources.

Less Hazardous

Concerns have arisen about health risks due to the severe effects of several heavy metals traditionally added to paint, including antimony, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, and mercury. The use of lead in paints was phased out beginning in 1978, and the use of mercury in most paints was phased out beginning in the early 1990s (small amounts of mercury may still be found in specialty paints - call the paint manufacturer and ask as the product information may not be required to disclose this).

Many other chemicals - including formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and methylene chloride - can be present in paint and pose health risks to paint users and occupants of buildings. Formaldehyde, often added to paint as a preservative, is a known human carcinogen and respiratory irritant. Other organic solvents used in paint can be carcinogenic as well. The MSDS from the distributor provides important information on ingredients in the paint that are health hazards. However, it is only required to disclose chemicals in the paint that are more than 1 percent for non-carcinogens, and more than 0.1 percent for carcinogens. Exposure to chemicals present in paints that are below the mentioned non-disclosure levels can cause health effects depending on various factors such as the type of chemical(s) exposed to, exposure conditions, sensitivity of the exposed population, etc. Growing interest in worker and occupant safety has led to an increasing number of safer paint choices.

Generally, water-based latex paints contain fewer solvents and toxic materials than oil-based paints.

What to look for: Look for product information on latex paints showing the ingredients - avoid paints with the solvents and heavy metals listed above. Avoid oil-based paints. See Vendors for sources.

LAWS AND GUIDELINES

California

Statute

State Agency Buy Recycled Campaign (SABRC)

• Recycled-Content Product Procurement Requirements
  • Public Contract Code (PCC) sections 12203 and 12209 require State agencies (including California State Universities) to ensure that at least 50 percent of the dollars spent on paint be spent on recycled paint with a recycled content consisting of at least 50 percent postconsumer paint. Preconsumer or secondary paint does not qualify as "recycled paint." If paint containing 50 percent postconsumer content is unavailable, or is restricted by a local air quality management district, a state agency may substitute paint with at least 10 percent postconsumer content.
  • The SABRC paint category, includes, but is not limited to, water-based paint, graffiti abatement paint, interior and exterior paint, and maintenance paint (see PCC section 12207).
• Recycled-Content Certification Requirements
  • PCC section 12205 requires all State agencies to obtain from all suppliers written certification of the postconsumer recycled content of each product offered or sold to the State. Recycled-content certification forms are available in the SABRC training manual.
• Recycled-Content Product Procurement Report
  • PCC 12211 requires paint purchases to be reported in each agency's annual SABRC Procurement Report.
• Recycled-Content Product Procurement Contract Language
  • PCC section 12217(f) directs State agencies to remove contract provisions that impede the consideration of recycled products and to replace them with performance standards.

Executive Order

California's Green Building Executive Order (Executive Order S-20-04) established the State's priority for energy and resource efficient high performance buildings. It directs the State to commit to aggressive action to reduce State building electricity usage by retrofitting, building, and operating the most energy and resource efficient buildings by taking all cost-effective measures described in the Green Building Action Plan for facilities owned, funded or leased by the State. Cities, counties, schools, and commercial building owners and operators are encouraged to do the same.

One significant measure that is mentioned in this Order is for the State to design, construct, and operate all new and renovated State-owned facilities paid for with State funds as "LEED Silver" or higher certified buildings. LEED - the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System® - is the nation's leading green building rating system. It promotes "high performance" building practices; energy, water and materials conservation; environmentally preferable products and practices; improvements in employee health, comfort and productivity; and reductions in facility operation costs and environmental impacts. LEED gives Green Building credit for paints that meet the VOC and chemical component limits of Green Seal requirements. [12]

Federal

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act requires procuring agencies to buy recycled-content products designated by the U.S. EPA in the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG). Latex paint is a U.S. EPA-designated item. Procuring agencies include all federal agencies, and any state or local government agencies or government contractors that use appropriated federal funds to purchase the designated items. Agencies that spend more than $10,000 per year on a product designated in the CPG, are required to purchase it with the highest recycled-content level practicable. [13] This means that the recycled-content ranges recommended in the U.S. EPA's Recovered Materials Advisory Notice (RMAN) for the item in question are met. [14],[15] The U.S. EPA's recommended recovered materials content levels for latex paint are available online.

Executive Order 13101 and the Federal Acquisition Regulation also call for an increase in the federal government's use of recycled-content and environmentally preferable products. [16]

See also U.S. Department of Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground.

PERFORMANCE

Recycled Paint
Generally, reprocessed recycled paints perform similarly to virgin paints, as shown in several studies described below.

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) Study
In California, a three-year study was conducted by California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) to evaluate recyclable and recycled (reprocessed) latex paint. The study was done in conjunction with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB). Researchers collected 61 samples in seven different locations. The study found that in meeting performance and durability specifications, recycled paint ranges from good quality to high quality. The study noted "the spreading rate, durability, and hide - how well the product conceals a surface - are generally equal to virgin paint products."

The recycled paint was also tested for presence of toxic materials. None of the samples exceeded California standards for VOCs. Samples also were well below maximum limits for heavy metals (arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, lead, selenium, thallium, vanadium, and zinc), with the exception of a single sample that exceeded the maximum mercury level of 200 parts per million. More information is available in the complete Cal Poly report.

California Fairs and Exhibitions Field Study
Another large scale project testing the performance of reprocessed recycled latex paint began in the summer of 2001 when the CIWMB funded a grant to paint buildings at 12 different fairgrounds throughout California. [17] A total of 4,920 gallons of 75 percent postconsumer content recycled paint were purchased and used to paint 92 different structures, including interiors and exteriors of office buildings, exhibit buildings, barns, and grandstands. Approximately 90 percent of the fair operators stated that the overall paint quality was good, and while the true success of the program will be seen in the endurance of the paint, initial results were positive. The paint was made readily available by direct shipment to the sites, and cost of the recycled paint was only 63 percent of comparable virgin paints.

Connecticut Field Study
In 1997, the U.S. EPA, Waste Watch Center (WWC) of Haverhill, Massachusetts, and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) conducted a demonstration program for recycled-content paint. The purpose of the program was to determine if recycled-content latex paint could meet basic performance standards for application wear and tear. Nine sites were selected, and various buildings were painted with a 50 percent minimum postconsumer recycled-content latex paint. Four years later, painted buildings were examined to see how well the paint performed in "real world" conditions. Results were very positive, with eight of nine sites indicating that the paint performed well, and study participants indicating they would be willing to use recycled paint again in the future. [18]

MetroPaint™ of Portland, Oregon
Although traditionally used for lower-performance coverage such as graffiti abatement, MetroPaint™ of Portland, Oregon carefully selects paints to incorporate in its 100 percent reblended paint. Test results on samples taken from 1993 to 2000 indicated the reblended paint performed comparably with virgin paints. [19] Furthermore, MetroPaint doubled its production capacity in 2005 and the paint receives good reviews.

Performance Conclusions

• Reprocessed paint is a high-grade recycled paint tested to meet performance and durability specifications. This product is used on various types of surfaces, from gypsum wallboard to concrete. The spreading rate, hide, and durability are generally equal to those of virgin paint.
• Reblended paint is considered a "good grade" to "high grade" paint. Color, hide, viscosity and quality vary by batch. Minimal testing is performed. Check with the vendor for information on custom tinting and type of tests performed on recycled paint.

Air Quality (Low-VOC Paints) and Less Hazardous Paints
Zero-VOC, low-VOC and less hazardous paints are manufactured to the same exacting performance standards as any other high-quality paint. More than 70 environmentally friendly paint products have been certified by Green Seal. These paints meet the Green Seal Environmental Standard for Architectural Coatings (GS-11), which establishes minimum criteria for performance standards such as hideability, wearability, and scrubability.

AVAILABILITY

Very low-VOC and less hazardous paints are available through existing State contracts for latex paint and coatings. Additionally, many retail paint stores stock low-VOC and less hazardous paints. Refer to the Green Seal listing of environmentally preferred paints (download the list of Green Seal Environmentally Preferred Coatings).

Recycled latex paint is also available through vendors listed on the current State contract for recycled paint. Recycled paint is not generally available at most retail paint businesses, but it is worthwhile checking because more businesses are carrying the product. For those businesses that don't carry the paint, asking for the product shows customer demand.

COST

Low-VOC and less hazardous paints have been available through the statewide latex paint contract,  [20]

Recycled latex paint is generally available at a lower cost than a similar virgin paint. The expired State contract 1-04-80-10 for recycled paint indicated pricing at approximately 60 percent of the cost of similar virgin paint. [21]

SPECIFICATIONS

California

Recycled latex paint specifications have been identified on the Invitation For Bid for the California Department of General Services (DGS) contract for Paint: Recycled, Latex and Semi-Gloss. Requirements include meeting minimum paint performance standards as set by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) for dry time, opacity, viscosity, and sag resistance. Heavy metal concentrations for lead, mercury, and cadmium cannot exceed U.S. EPA requirements. The paint must also meet quality assurances for condition in the container and application properties. [22]

Additionally, the Procurement Engineering Team of the Procurement Division of the Department of General Services develops and reviews specifications for statewide commodity standards and information technology. If you have questions regarding developing specifications, or would like a copy of one of their specifications, please contact the team.

Other Specifications

Federal Government

Commercial Item Description (CID) A-A-3185 (Paint, Latex, Containing Postconsumer Material) is the Federal Procurement Specification for Recycled Latex Paint (A-A-3185 replaced the previous Federal Specification for recycled latex paint, TT-P-2846, in April 2001). [23]

The U.S. EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines recommend procuring agencies refer to General Services Administration (GSA) commercial item A-A-3185 when purchasing recycled latex paint. [24]

A-A-3185 covers latex emulsion paint containing a minimum of 20 percent postconsumer materials. The standard lists prohibited materials, condition in container, color tolerance, accelerated storage, freeze-thaw stability, application properties, odor, dry-through, consistency, VOC content, contrast ratio, alkali resistance, flexibility, scrub resistance, biological growth, total solids, fineness of dispersion, gloss, adhesion, and special marking of "DO NOT FREEZE." Quantitative requirements for each grade and class are specified as are test methods (either ASTM or Federal Standard). Ordering data and bid evaluation information are also given. National Stock Numbers (NSN) have been assigned for all types, classes and grades.

The United States Department of the Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), as part of its overall pollution prevention strategy, worked with Green Seal to examine its paint purchases and to develop standards "minimizing the adverse environmental impacts associated with the purchase of interior and exterior architectural and anticorrosive paints." The APG Paint Standards are similar to the Green Seal standards - Environmental Standards for Household Paints (GS-11) and Environmental Standards for Anticorrosive Paints (GC-03). The APG Paint Standards support the Department of Defense (DoD) policy to "…reduce the use of hazardous materials, the generation or release of pollutants, and the adverse effects on human health and the environment caused by DoD activities." [25]

Green Seal

In 1993, Green Seal, a non-profit organization that certifies environmental products, came out with a standard for paint called "GS-11" that sets criteria for performance characteristics (abrasion resistance, opacity, stain removal), and prohibits or restricts the presence of certain heavy metals and toxic organic substances (VOC levels, aromatic compounds, chemical restrictions, packaging).

GS-11 standards have since been adopted or adapted for use by many states and federal agencies, and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System®. Paint styles include primers, flat, eggshell, enamel, and semi-gloss enamel, enabling consumers to find paint with many environmentally preferable qualities to meet any of their design needs.

The maximum VOC levels allowed by the Green Seal standard are:

Since these standards were established in 1993, the availability of zero-VOC and low-VOC paints has increased greatly, but the maximum VOC level allowed by Green Seal has remained unchanged (see the environmental specification Section 01350 and SCAQMD for alternative VOC limits). The complete Green Seal list of certified products is available online.

The GS-11 paint standard does not require recycled content. However, as of December 2005, Green Seal was in the process of establishing a certification system for recycled paints that will establish standards (similar to their GS-11 standards) to develop a listing of high-quality, environmentally preferable recycled-content paints.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)

The LEED Green Building Rating System® provides minimum performance standards for various sustainable building elements, including paint. LEED gives Green Building credit for paints that meet the VOC and chemical component limits of Green Seal requirements. [26]

GreenGuard Environmental Institute

The GreenGuard Environmental Institute is an independent, non-profit organization that oversees the GreenGuard Certification Program for low-emitting interior products, including paints (see table below). GreenGuard has allowable emission levels for paints to be used indoors and has a list of paints that meet this standard.

Master Painters Institute

The Master Painters Institute (MPI) is a nationally recognized organization that develops standards and specifications for the performance and the application of architectural coatings. The MPI has been testing and qualifying products for their Approved Products List since 1967. In 2008, the MPI developed a Green Performance™ Standard (GPS-1-08) and (GPS-2-08) for environmentally preferable paints and coatings that also meet minimum performance standards. (Download the text of the standard here.) The MPI maintains a listing of products that meet GPS-1-08.

The MPI Green Performance™ Standard states, "As to recycled paints, there are at least two concerns. The first concern is that the waste stream must be verifiably environmentally preferable. The second is that recycled paint must meet the same minimum performance standards as comparable non-recycled paint, and that there must be comfort as to the ongoing continuance in spite of varying raw material streams." [27] MPI does not include a minimum recycled content level in their Green Performance™ Standard.

The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS)

The Collaborative for High Performance Schools' (CHPS) specifications contain guidelines for Special Environmental Requirements (Section 01350) and address requirements for paints in Guideline IS9: Paints and Coatings, which are available online. The guideline recommendation for coatings states "Specify the least toxic, low-formaldehyde, low-VOC or zero-volatile organic compound (VOC) paint that meets durability and other high performance requirements. Water-based paints and acrylic latex paints are lower in VOCs than solvent-based paints. While a variety of low-VOC and zero-VOC paints are now available to choose from, they vary in cost, potential toxicity, and performance. Therefore, paint selection should consider VOC content as well as overall composition and required performance characteristics, including cleanability, hideability, and durability." [28]

United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)

The U.S. EPA maintains a Database of Environmental Information for Products and Services. This database contains contract language, specifications, and policies created and used by federal, state, and local governments and others to buy environmentally preferable products and services.

Tips for Writing Specifications

Sample Language

When buying recycled latex paint, include specifications that require the paint to be at least 50 percent postconsumer recycled content. Besides environmental benefits, your specifications can ultimately help lead to a healthier market for recycled paint, making it more available for both private businesses and consumers. Here is a sample clause:

"Latex paint must contain a minimum of 50 percent postconsumer recycled-content where fitness and quality are equal, and cost is the same or lower than similar virgin content products. Preconsumer or secondary paint does not qualify as "recycled paint". Vendors must certify that latex paint meets this recycled-content specification. Vendors must also certify that the paint meets all material and performance requirements as specified in this solicitation. Vendors are encouraged to provide products that contain a higher percentage of postconsumer recycled content than the 50 percent minimum."

When buying less hazardous paint, include specifications that meet the Green Seal Environmental Standard for Architectural Coatings (GS-11), which establishes minimum criteria for hideability, wearability, scrubability, maximum VOC limits and prohibited heavy metals and toxic organic substances. For information on Green Seal approved paint products, download the report titled "Green Seal's Choose Green Report: Architectural Paints," (December 1999) from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Web site.

Here is a sample clause for low-VOC and less hazardous paints:

"Latex paint must be low-VOC (less than 50 g/L minus water) and may not contain any of the following prohibited ingredients:

Heavy Metals
Antimony
Cadmium
Hexavalent Chromium
Lead
Mercury

Toxic Organic Substances
Acrolein
Acrylonitrile
Benzene
1,2-dichlorobenzene
Ethylbenzene
Butyl benzyl phthalate
Formaldehyde
Isophorone
Methylene Chloride
Methyl ethyl ketone
Methyl isobutyl ketone
Naphthalene
Phthalate esters
1,1,1-trichloroethane
Toluene
Vinyl Chloride

For a list of paints that meet these low-VOC and less hazardous requirements, refer to the list Green Seal of certified products. Vendors must certify that latex paint meets this low-VOC and less hazardous paint specification. Vendors must also certify that the paint meets all material and performance requirements as specified in this solicitation."

Lowering VOC emissions. The proposed SCAQMD limits on VOCs in paint will limit both flat and non-flat VOCs to no greater than 50 g/L for both interior and exterior surfaces. There are name brand interior paints available that have VOC emissions well below 50 g/L. [29] If the SCAQMD rules are too restrictive, one could consider adopting the Green Seal standard, but reduce the VOC levels in the paints (flat and non-flat for both interior and exterior) by 50 percent.

The maximum VOC levels would change to the following:

VENDORS

State Contracts

Statewide Paint, Recycled Latex and Semi-Gloss Contract

Recycled latex paint is available through the Statewide Paint, Recycled Latex and Semi-Gloss contract (contract number 1-08-80-10) through the Department of General Services (DGS). The contract is effective from May 1, 2008 through May 1, 2009.

Local agencies may use State procurement contracts.

Statewide Paint, Maintenance (Latex) Contract

Low-VOC and less hazardous paints have been available through the statewide latex paint contract with ICI Paints.To check the VOC level of a specific paint on this past contract, check its MSDS. The contract was effective from January 18, 2005 through January 17, 2007.  A new contract is currently under development                   

Local agencies may use State procurement contracts.

Other Sources

• California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)
  • The CIWMB's Recycled-Content Product Directory contains thousands of listings of recycled-content products from thousands of suppliers.
  • See the product directories listed in the CIWMB's Sustainable Building Tool Kit.
• Earth 911's Paint Wise program has a list of recycled paint manufacturers.
• The Product Stewardship Institute's Paint Project has a list of recycled paint manufacturers.
• Green Seal has a list of GS-11 certified paints. The criteria address performance characteristics (abrasion resistance, opacity, stain removal), and prohibit or restrict the presence of certain heavy metals and toxic organic substances (VOC levels, aromatic compounds, chemical restrictions, toxics in packaging).
• GreenSpec® contains detailed listings for numerous environmentally preferable building products with descriptions, manufacturer information, and links to additional resources.
• The Collaborative for High Performance Schools' (CHPS) list of low-emitting products includes several paints. These products have been certified by the manufacturer and an independent laboratory to meet the CHPS Low-Emitting Materials criteria- Section 01350 -for use in a typical classroom.
• The Master Painters Institute maintains a list of products that meet GPS-1-08. (Download the text of the standard here.)
• The Oikos® Green Building Source Product Directory is searchable by product category and company name.
• The South Coast Quality Air Management District has a list of companies manufacturing super-compliant coatings (see page 18) that exceed current and future regulations on VOC emissions. Contact the manufacturers for information on specific product lines.

SUCCESS STORIES

State of California

During fiscal year 2002-03, California state agencies purchased approximately 33,000 gallons of recycled latex paint, approximately 11 percent by volume of all State government paint purchases. [30] Additionally, as noted in the Performance section, a dozen Fair and Exhibition sites in California have successfully used recycled latex paint. [31]

California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)

The Caltrans Torrance division uses recycled paint on many different types of surfaces, and reports that the recycled paint is "very user friendly," a "fine product" available in a range of colors, and that they are "very satisfied with the product, not only for the low cost but also for its ability to be applied to many different types of surfaces." [32]

Elk Grove Unified School District (Elk Grove, CA)

In 2003, the Elk Grove Unified School District used recycled paint on a trial basis at a single middle school. Two years later, the buildings "still look like they were just painted," according to facility and planning staff. The district further stated "we have been so impressed with the paint that we used it for our 2004 Paint Project. We now specify this product in our specifications for new construction and additions." [33]

Portland Area, Oregon

The Portland Metro Government (known as Metro) has been collecting surplus latex paint from households and businesses since 1992, and now processes more than 100,000 gallons of paint annually. The processed paint is sold as MetroPaint™ (a 100 percent postconsumer recycled latex paint) and it now holds a five percent share of the Portland paint market. The Metro Government building was painted with MetroPaint in the 1990s, and no paint-related problems have been reported. [34]

State of Connecticut

As described in the Performance section of this guide, the State of Connecticut applied recycled latex paint on municipal buildings at eight separate sites in 1997, and in 2001 during a follow-up study, the caretakers of the buildings reported that they were satisfied with using recycled paint to protect the buildings. [35]

State of Minnesota

According to the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance "several successful demonstration projects around Minnesota have showcased reprocessed recycled paint, proving that it is a recycled product that performs." Two of the demonstration projects are summarized below. [36]

In 1999, approximately 2,100 gallons of reprocessed latex paint were used to cover 90 percent of the painted surfaces of the University of Minnesota's new, six-floor McNamara Alumni Center. Reprocessed paint was applied on gypsum drywall in office spaces, conference rooms and hallways. When asked about performance, the painting sub-contractors and the university's facility manager said that the reprocessed paint was equal to virgin paint.

In 1997, Hennepin County used 1,200 gallons of reprocessed paint on its new public works facility in Medina, Minn. The reprocessed paint was applied by brush, roller and airless sprayer. According to the president of the painting company, "These products performed comparably with virgin paint products. This product showed that the coverage and viscosity of the recycled products are comparable to virgin latex paint."

RESOURCES

California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)
Sacramento, CA
(916) 341-6000

The CIWMB's mission is to reduce waste, promote the management of all materials to their highest and best use, and protect public health and safety and the environment, in partnership with all Californians. Visit the CIWMB's Recycled Latex Paint page for information on the facts about recycled paint, why it should be used, the results of a performance study of recycled paint, and a list of companies that manufacture or distribute recycled paint. Environmentally preferable paint vendor information is also available in the sustainable building product directories that are included in the CIWMB's Sustainable Building Tool Kit.

Earth 911
Phoenix, AZ
(877) EARTH911

Earth 911 provides community-specific information on recycling and hazardous waste management for consumers and small businesses. A new section of their Web site titled "Paint Wise" gives information on proper purchasing, storage, donation, and recycling of paint.

Green Seal
Washington, DC
(202) 872-6400

Green Seal is an independent, non-profit organization that strives to achieve a healthier and cleaner environment by identifying and promoting products and services that cause less toxic pollution and waste. Green Seal has established a list of low-VOC and low toxicity paints that meet their GS-11 standards for environmentally-friendly paints.

King County Environmental Purchasing Program
Seattle, WA
(206) 296-0100
(800) 325-6165

A pioneer and contemporary model in environmental procurement, King County provides sample contract specifications for environmentally preferable coatings, such as recycled paint. In addition, its Web site contains product experience studies including three for Recycled Paint Products. The site contains additional resources for environmental purchasing and waste reduction.

Master Painters Institute (MPI)
(888) 674-8937

The MPI is a nationally recognized organization that develops standards and specifications for the performance and the application of architectural coatings. In 2005, the MPI developed a Green Performance™ Standard (GPS-1-08) for environmentally preferable paints and coatings that also meet minimum performance standards. The MPI maintains a listing of products that meet GPS-1-08. (Download the text of the standard here.) The MPI also offers training to become a certified architectural coatings inspector.

MetroPaint - Portland Metro Area
Portland, OR
(503) 797-1650

Metro - a regional government in Oregon - has been collecting surplus latex paint from households and businesses since 1992, and now processes more than 100,000 gallons of paint annually. The processed paint is sold under the company brand MetroPaint, and is a reblended, 100 percent postconsumer, recycled latex paint. Their Web site has technical information on the paint, including lab test results, product data information and a material safety data sheet.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)
St. Paul, MN
(651) 296-3417

The MPCA provides assistance on the purchase of environmentally preferable products such as latex paint, re-refined oil, and recycled-content paper, as well as resources, assistance, grants, and loans in the areas of waste and pollution prevention, recycling, reuse, environmental education, and sustainable communities. The MPCA's Sustainable Building Program links to additional design guidelines and product directories that cite recycled paint as an environmentally preferable product .

National Paint and Coatings Association (NPCA)
Washington, DC
(202) 462-6272

The NPCA is a trade association representing approximately 350 paint and coatings manufacturers, raw materials suppliers and distributors. Their Web site contains a section on the proper management of leftover paint.

The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive (OFEE)
Washington, DC
(202) 564-1297

As part of its broader mission to promote sustainable environmental stewardship throughout the federal government, the OFEE promotes the acquisition of recycled-content, environmentally preferable, and bio-based products. The OFEE's Web site contains information on conducting facility inspections for compliance with the U.S. EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines, which designate consolidated and reprocessed latex paints as preferred construction products. Additionally, the Web site highlights success stories in environmental procurement, recycling, and waste prevention.

Product Stewardship Institute (PSI)
Boston, MA
(617) 236-4855

The PSI is a national non-profit, membership-based organization. The PSI works with state and local government agencies to partner with manufacturers, retailers, environmental groups, federal agencies, and other key stakeholders to reduce the health and environmental impacts of consumer products, including latex paint. The PSI takes a unique product stewardship approach to solving waste management problems by encouraging product design changes and mediating stakeholder dialogues.

The PSI has conducted extensive research on recycled paint since 2004. Recycled paint studies and background documents are available on their PSI Paint Project Web page.

United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)
Washington, DC
(202) 272-0167

In order to assist federal agencies in purchasing environmentally preferable products and services, the U.S. EPA offers a range of information about products such as recycled latex paint. Visit the U.S. EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) Web site for Recovered Materials Advisory Notices (RMANs), which recommend recycled-content levels. The site includes information on numerous designated construction products, a construction products fact sheet, a CPG Supplier Database, and a Database of Environmental Information for Products and Services.

[1] Form 303 Household Hazardous Waste Collection data, Fiscal Year 2003-2004. Internal spreadsheet information collected by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control as reported to the California Integrated Waste Management Board, July 2005.

[2] Product Stewardship Institute, Interim Progress Report on Paint Product Steward Initiative Project #8, Preliminary Research on Certification Options, Current Paint Recycling Manufacturing, Recycled Paint Testing, Page 6. Available at: http://www.productstewardship.us

[3] Based on estimate of 2.3 gallons per person, per year average paint purchasing, as estimated by the Product Stewardship Institute, "A Background Report for the National Dialogue on Paint Product Stewardship" March 2004. Available at http://www.productstewardship.us/displayPage.php?pageid=74.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Product Stewardship Institute, Interim Progress Report on Paint Product Steward Initiative Project #8, Preliminary Research on Certification Options, Current Paint Recycling Manufacturing, Recycled Paint Testing, Page 6. Available at: http://www.productstewardship.us/

[6] United States Environmental Protection Agency. Indoor Air - Publications. Indoor Air Facts No. 4 (revised): Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). Available at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/sbs.html.

[7] California Air Resources Board. Research Notes. Abstracts of 1993 Research Notes. Available at http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/resnotes/abst93.htm. Accessed on January 9, 2006.

[8] South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). Rule 1113 Architectural Coatings. Amended July 9, 2004. See http://www.aqmd.gov/rules/support.html.

[9] South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). Rule 1113 Architectural Coatings. As of January 2006 there are proposed changes to Rule 113. See http://www.aqmd.gov/rules/proposed.html#1113

[10] Sampling, Testing, and Evaluation of Recyclable and Recycled Latex Paint: Final Report December 1995. Prepared for California Integrated Waste Management Board by California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) San Luis Obispo. Available at http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Publications/default.asp?pubid=310.

[11] MetroPaint. Metro Paint Lab Test Results. Available at http://www.metro-region.org/article.cfm?ArticleID=12405.

[12] U.S. Green Building Council. LEED Rating System Version 2.0. June 2001. See http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=220&.

[13] United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2004 Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines Buy-Recycled Series Construction Products Fact Sheet. Available at http://www.epa.gov/cpg/factshts.htm.

[14] From California Integrated Waste Management Board staff communication with Office of the Federal Environmental Executive staff on December 12, 2005.

[15] United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2004 Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines Buy-Recycled Series Construction Products Fact Sheet. Available at: http://www.epa.gov/cpg/factshts.htm.

[16] United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2004 Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines Buy-Recycled Series Construction Products Fact Sheet. Available at: http://www.epa.gov/cpg/factshts.htm.

[17] "Recycled-Content Latex Paint Shines at California's Fairgrounds" California Department of Food and Agriculture, Division of Fairs and Expositions, Sacramento California, Grant Final Report to CIWMB, July 2003. (Paper copy only for full report. See www.ciwmb.ca.gov/buyrecycled/StateAgency/asktell/stories.htm for a summary of report.)

[18] Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Evaluation of the Performance of Recycled Content Latex Paint in Connecticut. Available at http://dep.state.ct.us/wst/recycle/rpaint.pdf.

[19] MetroPaint Web site (See http://www.metro-region.org/article.cfm?ArticleID=521) and "Metro Paint™ Lab Test Results" (Available at http://www.metro-region.org/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=12405.

[20] Statewide Paint, Maintenance (Latex) Supplement No. 1 to Contract 1-05-80-05 Revision A. Available at http://www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/contracts/80-10.htm.

[21] Statewide Paint, Recycled Latex and Semi-Gloss Contract number 1-04-80-10. Available at http://pdrox.pd.dgs.ca.gov/pin/html/1-04-80-10.htm (offline).

[22] State Of California DGS Invitation For Bid, Paint, Recycled Latex And Semi-Gloss; Solicitation Number 52447, August 27, 2003. (Paper copy only.)

[23] Commercial Item Description A-A-3185 text can be found at http://dsp.dla.mil/. Once to the site, select "online specs," then "click here to get DSP files" then "assist quick search." For ID use A-A-3185.

[24] United States Environmental Protection Agency. Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines Reprocessed and Consolidated Latex Paints for Specified Uses Web page. Available at http://www.epa.gov/cpg/products/paint.htm#recommended.

[25] Aberdeen Proving Ground Paint Standards Study, 1999. See http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/case/paint.pdf.

[26] U.S. Green Building Council. LEED Rating System Version 2.0. June 2001 See http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=220&.

[27] Master Painters Institute. MPI Green Performance™ Standard [GPS-1-05] For Paints and Coatings. Available at http://paintinfo.com/GPS/MPI%20GPS%201-05%20-Version%20july%2027,%2005.pdf.

[28] Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) - Special Environmental Requirements (Section 01350) Guideline IS9: Paints and Coatings. See http://www.chps.net/manual/index.htm.

[29] Website. Verified 1-20-06. Available at "http://www.buildinggreen.com/, under "finishes" and then "interior paints."

[30] California Integrated Waste Management Board. "How Are We Doing?" State Agency Buy Recycled Campaign (April 19, 2004). Available at: http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/BuyRecycled/StateAgency/Status.htm.

[31] "Recycled-Content Latex Paint Shines at California's Fairgrounds" California Department of Food and Agriculture, Division of Fairs and Expositions, Sacramento California, Grant Final Report to CIWMB, July 2003. (Paper copy only for full report. See http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/buyrecycled/StateAgency/asktell/stories.htm for a summary of report.)

[32] Letter of Recognition from CalTrans Torrance Road Crew to Visions Recycling Inc. (re-processed paint manufacturer), dated June 4, 2005. (Paper copy only.)

[33] Letter of Recommendation from Elk Grove Unified School District Facilities and Planning to Visions Recycling Inc. (re-processed paint manufacturer), dated March 3, 2005. (Paper copy only.)

[34] Metro Paint Fact Sheet "Metro Facts" and personal communication September 26, 2005 with Jim Quinn, Hazardous Waste Program Manager, Metro, Portland, Oregon.

[35] Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Evaluation of the Performance of Recycled Content Latex Paint in Connecticut. Available at http://dep.state.ct.us/wst/recycle/rpaint.pdf.

[36] Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Recycled Latex Paint Success Stories. Available at http://www.pca.state.mn.us/

Special Note: Portions of the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Best Practices Manual were borrowed or adapted from the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide published by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board of Minnesota.