The best low VOC, non toxic and natural formulas for a healthier environment
Giving your own walls a fresh new look? It’s more important than ever before to consider sustainable decorating options – and a good place to start is environmentally friendly paint brands. Low VOCs, natural and organic formulas and recycled packaging are all things to look out for when selecting your new shades. Here’s our pick of the best eco-friendly paint brands.
The Guide to Sustainable Decorating
The Best Eco Friendly Paint Brands
House of Hackney
Calling all those who love aesthetic trinkets, patterns and historical whimsy: House of Hackney has announced today it’s launching into paint.
Inspired by nature’s paintbox (think: minerals, roots, and berries), some 38 dazzling shades are dropping today (no less by the exuberant names like Orpiment, Azurite, and Madder).
It’s also fortunate that it’s one of the most eco-friendly paints you can get. House of Hackey is a B Corp brand plus the paint itself has low VOC levels (a must), which comes with a FSC wooden stirrer made from by-products that would otherwise go to
waste.
Every paint tin sold too enables them to purchase and protect 35 square metres of forest in partnership with the World Land Trust too. So it’s a win, win. houseofhackney.com
Graphenstone
Not only is Graphenstone paint virtually completely free of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), but it also actively improves air quality by absorbing CO2 with the organic lime in its formula. To put things in perspective, three 15-litre tins will absorb the same amount of CO2 as a fully grown tree over a year. Its pots are also made from 100 per cent recycled and recyclable plastic. graphenstone.co.uk
Little Greene
Little Greene’s paint tins are made using 50 per cent recycled steel and can be recycled again once you’re finished with them. It’s water based paints carry the industry’s lowest eco-rating, with almost zero VOCs. Its wallpapers, too, are made from paper which comes from FSC or PEFC certified sustainable forests. littlegreene.com
Edward Bulmer
Edward Bulmer’s natural paint is CO2 neutral and made using ingredients like linseed, chalk, earth and pigments which are non toxic and have full organic or equivalent certification. Founder Edward Bulmer is himself an eco campaigner, hosting an annual Spring Greens fair at the brand’s HQ in Herefordshire. edwardbulmerpaint.co.uk
Lick
In addition to its water-based low VOC formula, Lick is a champion of sustainable initiatives. The brand has partnered with ocean cleaning initiative 4ocean to help remove rubbish from seas, rivers and coastlines. So far in 2021 all Lick purchases have contributed to removing 11,000 kg of plastic from the sea and planting 5,112 trees. lickhome.com
Coat
The only carbon neutral paint company in the UK – Coat’s water based paint is (as you would hope) low VOC, and it has partnered with B Corp certified Eco Union for painting supplies. Its paints are made in the UK to minimise transport emissions, and the brand has swapped wasteful tester pots for easy-to-use swatches. If that wasn’t enough to convince you – it also uses recyclable aluminium tins and is aiming to become carbon positive by working with organisations like Carbon Jacked to offset carbon emissions. coatpaints.com
Earthborn
A holder of the EU Ecolabel for Indoor Paints and Varnishes, Earthborn manufactures environmentally friendly, breathable paints. Its Claypaint is highly breathable, child safe, non toxic and has almost zero VOCs. Plus, the brand is also open about its ingredients and has a useful guide to its formula here. earthbornpaints.co.uk
Photo by House of Hackney
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