Sustainable wall colours: More than just a trend
The goals of sustainability are diverse. Not only in Germany, but also internationally, more and more people feel called upon to actively protect the environment and the climate. From recycling waste and saving energy to reducing the ecological footprint: the initiative can be taken almost everywhere. There are also effective ways to be more sustainable when it comes to wall paints, varnishes and colourants.
Consistently sustainable: The cradle-to-cradle principle is all about a waste-free circular economy in which, ideally, all raw materials are completely recycled. Sustainable paints offer the advantage that they do not contain any environmentally harmful substances. They can be completely returned to the material cycle. More about the cradle-to-cradle principle you can read here.
Put an end to harmful paints!
Conventional wall paints can contain microplastics, solvents or even allergenic fragrances that are not only bad for the environment, but also for the human organism.
Farrow & Ball made it their mission in 2010 to switch their entire range to water-based paints and reduce the harmful VOC content of the colours to a minimum. VOCs are volatile organic compounds that spread through all products and materials in indoor air. In the worst case, they can have an effect on the nervous system and trigger allergies.
In the interests of sustainability, Farrow & Ball also completely dispenses with animal testing. With the exception of two colour mixtures, the colours are even vegan.
Environmentally friendly with the Blue Angel
You have probably seen the eco-label before. The Blue Angelis an eco-label that was launched by the Federal Ministry for the Environment in 1978. It is awarded to products or companies that offer particularly environmentally friendly goods and services. Certified companies can label their products with the Blue Angel on a voluntary basis.
You can find out what products with the Blue Angel label can do here.
Interior design: Holistically sustainable!
The "Naturell" product line from Schöner Wohnen carries exactly this certificate. The special feature is the silicate-based formulation! Silicateis a natural product that contains a mineral binder. This means that the paints do not contain any harmful solvents, plasticisers or preservatives. In addition to the environmentally friendly aspect, they also have other advantages: silicate paints are suitable for allergy sufferers, regulate moisture and minimise the risk of mould infestation. As a result, the product line has earned the Blue Angel and ECARF ( European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation) certificates.
A brand with a long tradition: Alpina colours offers a product line called "Colour Friends", which was specially designed for newborns and small children. These colours also pose no risk to health or the environment and are certified with the Blue Angel. Conventional colours often contain solvents and preservatives that have an impact on touch, taste and smell. Thanks to their natural formulation, the wall paints in the "Farbenfreunde" product line are safe for children.
Why stop at wall paint when the entire interior can be designed sustainably? Doors are also an important aspect of interior design due to their size. The raw material from which they are made and the coatings and paintwork should be sustainable. GARANT offers an environmentally friendly overall package here:
- Sustainable raw materials
At GARANT, all doors are made from different types of wood that come from controlled sustainable forest management. This means that the forest is actively protected as an ecosystem and managed fairly. Particular attention is paid to the local extraction of raw materials. Because at GARANT, the wood is not imported. For this consciously sustainable approach, the door manufacturer has been awarded both the PEFC- as well as the FSC-seal of approval.
- Health-friendly materials
True to the holistic guiding principle of sustainability, the production process for the doors was also designed to be environmentally friendly. The finished doors and their silk-matt white lacquer finish have been awarded the eco-INSTITUT label. This is because they are tested for low emissions and contain no harmful substances that are carcinogenic or harmful to the environment. GARANT doors therefore contribute to a healthy living environment.
- Reduced CO2 balance
Of course, energy efficiency is also a relevant factor in the entire door production process. GARANT has developed a modern rolling and spraying process that is particularly environmentally friendly and saves energy. For this, GARANT has been awarded the globally recognised standard ISO 50001standard. GARANT is continuously reducing its energy consumption and thus also improving the company's carbon footprint.
Are you interested in other sustainability topics? In our blog you can read more about sustainability seals or the cradle-to-cradle principle.