paint
and community involvement, and it’s impact
is formulated – does the paint company use
impact when air borne because it dissipates
on the environment,” he explains. A sustainable
sustainable material sources and is the paint
quickly and therefore the effect over a longer
paint would be paint that measures its triple
manufactured in an environmentally friendly
period is the by far the least compared to other
bottom line equally and contributes to positive
way? But perhaps most importantly it is about
competitor products. So as an interior option
development all round.
selecting a product that offers sustainable
paint it is by far the most friendliest paint –
value to the customer, the environment and
both on humans and the environment.
“It wo uld be for example a paint that is good
quality and sells competitively, is made in a
society,” says du Plessis. Identifying these
factory where all staff are well looked after
products would require the consumer to
Be environmentally aware
(happy, earning well, perhaps even have shares
look for wording like low VOC, lead free, no
EnSvironmentally friendly paints are still
in the business), has minimal environmental
formaldehyde, low odour, environmentally
manufactured using byproducts from
impact (lead-free, all natural ingredients,
friendly on the physical container.
the petrochemical industry, but once
recyclable tin, instructions for safe waste
As one of South Africa’s leading paint
manufactured have little or no further impact
disposal), and where all aspects of the sourcing,
brands, Prominent Paints is a proud member
on the environment. They have the same
manufacturing, marketing and distribution are
of the Green Building Council of South Africa
durability and application as high VOC paints
also taken into account sustainably,” says Morkel.
and a manufacturer that considers its carbon
but without the impact. When using a EAP
footprint every step of the way, while ensuring
you really wouldn’t know the difference in
SUSTAINABLE VS
ENVIRONMENTALL FRIENDLY
that the quality of its paint range is not
application, the only difference is there is no or
compromised. Air quality is one of the leading
very little smell omitted when used.
Asked what the difference is between
health risk issues facing the consumer, with
sustainable and environmentally friendly
an ever growing concern regarding volatile
sustainable products as in natural tree oils,
paints, Plascon’s Brand Manager for its
organic compound (VOCs) found in paint.
nuts and other products, although this sounds
Professional Portfolio says, “Sustainable
VOCs are substances emitted as gas from paint
like a good alternative Eco friendly paints still
friendly is considering natural resources such as
and have a huge impact on indoor air quality
omit high levels of VOC and are prone to low
water, minerals, oils and others. Is it sustainable
during, and immediately after application.
durability and high maintenance. They both
to use these ingredients in our products if they
“Prominent Paints has undertaken to
“Eco friendly paints are manufactured using
have their place in the market. It’s about giving
keep ‘self’ producing? Now as for water, it is a
ensure that it offers an extensive range of
guarantee to some extent, but as for minerals,
products which are lead-free with both
this all depends on the source from which it
low VOC and Zero VOC ratings to cater
environmentally aware paints for the last 14
comes, is it reputable, do they extract or ‘mine’
for indoor applications, as well as an
years, staying true to its ethos throughout.
sustainably and what type of ‘energy’ is used as
extensive range of exterior applications.
this all has an impact on the environment too.
Our product life expectancies are in excess
process has been independently assessed
So sustainable is an option to use ingredients
of 10 years demonstrating that it is possible
and verified and with the help of food and
that are sustainable with less impact on the
to manufacture environmentally friendly
trees for Africa. All Harlequins Products are
environment.”
products with exceptional performance,”
manufactured in a carbon neutral factory. HA
“Environmentally friendly boils down to
the consumer a choice,” explains Onwood.
Harlequin Paints has been manufacturing
Furthermore, the company’s manufacturing
he concludes.
more the ‘manufacturer’ and ‘consumer use’
For more information
of the products, what are the impacts of our
Evolution
paints when they are airborne (atmosphere)
Evolution is the most ‘environmentally’ friendly
Color Tone Paints: 021-703-1553
and land up in our water and land fills for
product of Plascon as it is the only product
Dulux: 0860-330-111
example, how do we dispose of wasted paint to
that is VOC and solvent free and is currently
Harlequin Paints: 0860-100-626
have less impact on the environment,” she says.
approved by the Green Building Council of
Plascon: 0860-20-40-60
South Africa (GBCSA) and Ecospecifier. It is the
Prominent Paints: 0861-77-66-46
Du Plessis agrees with the sentiment from
Plascon. “You have to consider how the paint
most environmentally friendly as it has the less
for all your tinting, shaking and
paint testing requirements.
Tel: Johannesburg (011) 452 0223 E-Mail: [email protected]
Tel: Durban (031) 702 9234 Web: www.lejn.co.za
100
HARDWARE AFRICA 2013