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King County Washington home

Paint

Oil-based paints use solvents to mix and bind their ingredients. These solvents are the main source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paint. VOCs contribute to ozone and smog, which harm both human health and the environment.

"Fast drying" paints often have even higher levels of solvents. Choosing low-VOC paints reduces exposure to harmful chemicals and lowers the cost of safely disposing of leftover paint.

Policy

From King County’s Sustainable Purchasing Executive Policy (CON 7-22-1-EP),

  • Minimizing pollutants to air and water, including indoor air emissions;
  • Promoting transparency, including disclosure of environmental, health, economic, and social risks through the use of environmental certifications and ecolabels (as defined in Section D of this policy), Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), Health Product Declarations (HPDs), and vendor sustainability ratings.
 

 

Quick Tips

Choose

  • Low-VOC or zero-VOC paints
  • Water-based or latex paints
  • Paints with recycled content or environmentally certified labels (e.g., Green Seal, EcoLogo)
  • Non-toxic primers and finishes
  • Paints from responsible manufacturers with transparent ingredient disclosure

Avoid

  • Paints with high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC)
  • Oil-based paints • Paints with heavy metals or toxic additives (lead, cadmium, mercury)
  • Over buying

End of Life

  • Store properly and use it later
  • Return unused paint to manufacturer take-back programs or local hazardous waste facilities
  • Donate leftover paint for community projects or reuse
  • Dispose of empty containers according to local recycling or hazardous waste regulations

An EPA checkmark indicates a certification or standard is recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Technical Specification Language

Responsible Purchasing Network Guide: Green Purchasing Best Practices

Paint Calculator: Calculate your needs based on square footage

Recycled Paint Fact Sheet: State of Washington fact sheet on recycled paint

Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. – Paint: National non-profit membership-based organization reducing paint's impact across its lifecycle