With the current push toward eco-consciousness, many consumers and tradesmen have become more aware of the often dire consequences of using conventional paint systems. Consumers are now demanding less toxic painting products, but need assistance in making sustainable choices.

“Natural paint products are the most sustainable coatings available”, says Daniel Wurm, of GreenPainters. “They are manufactured using renewable or highly abundant resources, and this is important when you consider that conventional paints are manufactured from petroleum by-products”.

“We have found that many consumers want to use products that are suitable for use around people with allergies, or children,” says Wurm. “Natural paint products usually offer a full ingredients disclosure, which helps consumers make informed choices. Consumers will be able to have their house or building painted with natural products that have a low environmental impact.”

Until now many painters have avoided using natural products because of perceived higher cost, and unfamiliarity with them. A new course in Natural Painting has been developed by GreenPainters to improve awareness of sustainable products amongst painting contractors.

This course will help demonstrate that using these products will not only help the environment, but also improve everyone’s health – painters and consumers alike. And, when painters become a GreenPainter, they actually gain a marketing advantage. “It’s no longer about price; it’s about what the consumer wants, and the environment needs”, comments Mr Wurm. “You can have any colour as long as it's 'green'! However, using natural paints doesn’t mean you can’t have the latest fashion colours.”

GreenPainters Training has developed this new course with funding from Industry Partners Bauwerk Colour, Rockcote, BIO, Livos and Sequence Australia. It is aimed at upskilling painters for the needs of the eco-building industry, eco-conscious consumers; and to improve environmental management in the industry in general.

Wurm adds, “We are really excited by the development of the course. We believe it is the first time these issues have been addressed in our industry.”

The one-day course also focuses on waste-water and environmental management. The first course will be run at the Home Ideas Center in Sydney, November 6th and will be rolled out at various other locations around Australia. For more details or to register go to http://www.greenpainters.com.au/courses.

For more information see http://www.greenpainters.com.au

GreenPainters is a non-profit initiative, established to provide advice, knowledge and skills to help the painting industry go green. The web-site provides summaries of sustainable paints and coatings, and information to help builders and renovators achieve the look they want while being environmentally sensitive and health-conscious. Painters who complete the training can list on the web-site.

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More about this topic into our Paint & Finishes section.

Written by Suze Chalmers