Blog

Cutting back on waste is important. Money being thrown out of you or your company’s pocket.

However, waste also has a negative impact on the environment, especially when you are talking about a potent, chemical-filled product like paint. For these reasons, zero waste initiatives are very important.

The following tips can make it easier for you to purchase the right amount of paint and avoid the dangers, and expense of waste.

Do the Calculations

There are no shortcuts for calculating how much paint you are going to need for your project.

Start off with this calculation.

Calculate how many square feet of wall space you need to cover and then compare to the recommendations from the paint manufacturer.

Each brand or type may have a different expected requirement as some paints cover thicker than others. Plus, the texture of your walls makes a difference. A smooth wall will use less paint per coat. When you measure, don’t forget to subtract for closets, doors and windows. Additionally, keep in mind how many coats you plan to apply. You may test a small space first; there is no need to buy enough paint for two coats if you only need one.

Use Primer

Believe it or not, one of the best zero waste initiatives in painting involves adding another step–primer. Using primer can allow you to get by with fewer coats of paint, so you can purchase less.

Plus, since you can use the same primer with multiple paint colors, one can may work in all the rooms you are painting. Don’t skip this important step. Not only will you save on paint use and waste, but your results will be cleaner and richer as well.

Find Out if There are Return Policies

Some paint stores want to help encourage zero waste initiatives. Some stores may offer a return policy–allowing you to return unused paint if you purchase more than needed. The paint store may be able to resell the paint as-is, or add additional tone to the paint and resell it. This can save you money and will keep you from having paint that needs to be disposed.

Key Takeaways:

While you may not be able to prevent 100% of paint waste, by following these simple tips, you’ll find that there is less wasted. This leads to more money in your pocket and less waste in the long run.

• Carefully calculate how much paint you will need
• Use primer to lower the amount of paint used
• Learn about paint return policies

Need Help?

Photo Credit