"Green" paint

[Honeymum]

Has anyone found any that is affordable? We are redecorating the DD's room and would like to go organic/green.

Good on you honeymum.

I think the most important green thing to look at on the tin of paint is the VOC label - which is the level of volatile organic compounds in it. Most paint is labelled from Minimal(the best) up to High. B&Q developed this logo and it does a really good range of Minimal and Low paints, including gloss in most of its ranges and colours. The added advantage of this is that it doesn't smell, and it can be washed off in water, rather than white spirit, so you win on every front! Most other paints (dulux, crown etc all label their paints too).
My husband is highly allergic to paint chemicals and can't be anywhere near normal gloss paints or some normal paints, but he could even help me paint our house when we got the Minimal VOC stuff.
Try www.diy.com/diy/jsp/aboutbandq/2004/social_responsibility/pdfs/paint_policy.pdf
for more info.

[btw - I'm not a B&Q person, just have done some research into picking green products at least cost and effort!]

I'm sure there are lots of even better options out there, but I think the VOC one is the simplest and easiest and cheapest way of making a big difference and being green. I don't know about organic paint...

But the last thing to think of is paint waste - don't put it down the drain - instead you can donate your left over paint to a local charity or playground or council recycling site. Then every drop will be used, which is green too!

ps. this site also has a list of other good labels to look for
www.defra.gov.uk/environment/consumerprod/glc/index.htm
www.defra.gov.uk/environment/consumerprod/pdf/shoppers-guide.pdf

ps. also meant to say that the minimal / low VOC paints don't cost any more than "normal" paints.

Farrow and Ball's paints have a very low VOC level and don't smell at all.

Thank you for all of the advice. I'll be off to B&Q soon. Feeling very pleased with myself too

let us know how it goes! and what colour you get

I've got to paint my hall soon, and am trying to put it off as long as I can, as it's going to be messy...