The standard is aimed at assuring consumers that recycled paint, in addition to being environmentally beneficial, can perform as well as virgin paint, both in terms of ease of application and quality and longevity of finish.
Consumer concern over paint performance is one of the greatest impediments to increasing the use of recycled paint, according to PSI. The Master Painters Institute (MPI), a nationally recognized paint performance certification organization, worked with Green Seal and PSI on the performance portion of the standard. The final standard takes into account the quality, performance, and safety of recycled paint, as well as environmental attributes.
“Consumers are now being given independent verification of recycled paint’s performance, which will lead to better informed purchasing decisions,” says Scott Cassel, PSI Executive Director. “Developing a standard for this product will boost the use of recycled paint, cut local disposal costs, and create value from a material previously considered a waste.”
Recycled paint incorporates unused paint collected from consumers as well as excess from the original paint manufacturing process, thereby reducing the disposal of paint.
“Green Seal is looking forward to certifying recycled paint that meets the standard, which will expand markets for this product,” said Arthur Weissman, Green Seal’s President and CEO. “A Green Seal certification assures users that the product has been thoroughly evaluated, performs well, and is environmentally responsible.”
Green Seal will begin product evaluation for paints submitted for certification by manufacturers. Paints that meet the standard will earn the Green Seal of approval, and will be able to display the Green Seal Certification Mark, which is a registered mark.
The standard will be available at the Green Seal and Product Stewardship Web sites.
The Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. (PSI) is a national non-profit membership-based organization that pursues initiatives to ensure that all those involved in the lifecycle of a product share responsibility for reducing its health and environmental impacts.
Green Seal, Inc. is a non-profit organization that promotes the production and use of environmentally preferable products and services.
