Identifying Greener Paints and Coatings
Environmental Attributes to Consider*
- Reduction/elimination of toxics (ammonia, formaldehyde, crystalline silica, odor masking agents, fungicides) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Recycled-content
- Salvaged excess paints (some vendors can remix into almost any color)
- Alternative paints (lime, milk protein, clay, and earth-based pigments)
- Manufacturer or retailer take-back and recycling options
*Depending upon the performance requirements (e.g., interior or exterior), building occupants, project scope, and other considerations.
How to Buy
- Look for products meeting paints and coatings standards and ecolabels recommended by EPA.
- Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG). Recycled-content recommendations for consolidated and latex paint.
- Green Procurement Compilation - Paints. The Green Procurement Compilation (GPC) is a comprehensive green purchasing resource designed for federal contracting personnel and program managers. It helps you identify applicable green purchasing requirements.
- Institutional and Federal purchasers can use this model specification language for paints and coatings (Section 09 90 00), which provides federal agencies' requirements and other practices to consider when specifying paints and coatings. Exit
Government Resources
Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers Exit
Model specification language for green building construction.
GSA Advantage!®
GSA Advantage is the federal government's premier online shopping superstore giving you access to millions of commercial products and services available from GSA-negotiated contracts. Anyone may browse the site to view and compare the variety of products and services offered. Visit the Environmental Program Aisle search by environmental icons and limit your results to sustainable products.
Other Resources
BuildingGreen.com Exit
BuildingGreen.com provides print and electronic resources to help in the design and building of construction projects from a whole-systems perspective, and are publishers of Environmental Building News and the GreenSpec®.