Paint your home the green way. Protect the environment from toxic paint waste.

Preparing for the paint job

1. Use non-toxic paint cleaners. Many paint cleaners you buy in the store contain ammonia or bleach which ultimately leach out into the soil and harm the environment. These chemicals also adverse health effects if you breathe them for too long. Use products such as Bio-Wash, which are non-toxic but work great as cleaners.
2. Do not sand dry lead paint. When you sand dry lead paint, many toxic particles are released into the air. What’s the best method then? First, lay down thick plastic sheeting, then use a squirt bottle to lightly wet down surfaces. Finally, scrape and sand the surfaces while they are still wet to prevent dust from escaping.

Material selection

1. Purchase good quality painting tools. Try to choose and use quality tools as they pay off in the long run. If you invest your extra money or savings on quality tools that will last long and in turn will helps you to paint better and smoothly. Instead of buying a cheap $4 brush, spend $15 to get one that applies paint better and can be reused for future projects. Quality roller covers made of sheepskin can be cleaned and reused time after time; they also give a better finish to wall paint.
2. Don’t skimp on materials and paint quality. Many painters choose the cheapest options for materials such as caulking and spackle. While this may save a few bucks in the near term, it ends up costing a lot more in overall paint longevity. Materials for a paint job typically cost no more than 15% of the total paint job cost, so buying paint that covers walls smoothly and create resilient effects is a good long term investment. You’ll also have to paint fewer coatings with a good quality paint, which will save you in time and money.
3. Look for no-VOC interior paints. Many paints contain contaminants that reduce indoor breathable  air quality. When shopping for “green” paint, make sure that the VOC levels are measured after the tints are added.

Handling cleanup

1. Take extra or left-over paint to a disposal site. Paint is a hazardous and highly toxic material and should be disposed of carefully. You should find your local toxic waste dump (every city has one) and dispose of your paint there.
2. Waste water from paint jobs is toxic. Clean all tools and brushes in a bucket - don’t let the water run off into your yard or down the sink. Throw out dirty water in your toilet or outside your house at the “mushroom cap” - this is where the sewer system and your water lines meet. Use multiple buckets to clean and take the dirtiest waste water to the same toxic waste disposal site.