The search for better ways to use green products, methods & technology leads facility managers to painting strategies that not just consider the welfare of the environment & incurs lesser costs, but at the same time still maintain high quality paint performance.

Some of these paints & coatings practices are the application of a second coating that not just requires little surface preparation, but guarantees longer life to the building & stronger protection against daily wear-and-tear. Another is proper paint storage & disposal to extend usefulness of paint for future projects. Another is the careful measurement of the area to be painted so that only the right amount of paint will be purchased, eliminating the cost of extra & unused paint. Lastly, there is the use of recycled paint as a greener option.

Recycled Paint

Recycled paint offers cost-saving opportunities & lesser dangers to the environment while still providing quality finish to buildings. Any water-based & latex paint can be recycled. For latex paints, recycling is done either through re-blending or reprocessing.

Re-blending involves re-mixing the paint & screening to eradicate any solid materials to improve consistency. Only neutral-colored paint & coatings can be re-blended, hence they aremore appropriate to projects such as undercoating, graffiti removal, or exterior painting -- where aesthetics is not an issue.

Reprocessing includes the addition of new components to the recycled paint, making the paint available in more tints & a wider range of applications.

For recycled paint sources, facility managers often turn to paint & coatings dealers who have passed certifications standards. The Master Painters Institute offers certification programs to recycled paint manufacturers.

Benefits of Recycled Paints

Some of the major benefits of using recycled paint & coatings are lesser hazards & zero waste disposals that lessen the danger to the environment. Another benefit is lesser costs due mainly to lower expenses, zero waste disposal costs, & lower transportation costs (because recycled paint is produced locally).

A performance & price comparison of recycled & non-recycled paints confirmed the economic & environmental viability of the former. The case of the Portland Water Bureau who used 100% recycled paint to re-paint their water tanks resulted to 75% lesser costs & generated cost-savings of $3,500 for the project.

Challenges in Adoption of Recycled Paints

One of the main problems in the adoption of recycled paint & coatings is the linkage gap between recyclers & users. To strengthen this link, the Internet has been used as a medium to bring recyclers & their markets together. Governments like the state of Michigan also sponsor an on line directory listing for recycled materials.

To market recycled paints & coatings further, the EPA allied with environmental agencies & conducted a performance comparison of recycled paints & ordinary paints. The results for recycled paint were generally positive, such as its good performance in metal surface applications, user satisfaction & willingness to reuse, strength & resistance to various environment conditions, & cost benefits. Minor constraints such as wood surface non-adherence & color match problems were encountered.