Where to buy eco-friendly paints

We all know that a fresh coat of paint can completely transform a home, but have you ever stopped to consider what you’re putting on your walls?

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Although paint offers a quick, cost effective way to breathe new life into your space, many of them actually contain chemicals that are harmful to our environment and health, and, due to their plastic content, can even damage our homes in the long run.

With us spending an increasing amount of time indoors and the climate crisis well and truly underway, it’s never been more important to make choices that are kinder to the planet – and, when it comes to paints, there’s no exception.

Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about eco paints, plus our favourite planet-friendly paint brands.

• 16 ways to make your home eco-friendly

On a practical note, if you need to update your painting kit, we've tried-and-tested a range of brush sets to find the best paint brushes and put together a buyer's guide of the best painting tools - you're welcome.

What is eco-friendly paint?

There is no single official definition of eco-friendly paint. The general consensus, however, is that eco-friendly paints are those that contain little or none of the chemicals that can harm the environment and our health, such as solvents, heavy metals and VOCs. The term also refers to paints that are made using environmentally-conscious methods.

When choosing an eco-friendly paint, it’s worth noting that because a paint contains ‘natural’ ingredients, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safer. Lead and turpentine, for example, are both produced from natural materials, but can have a harmful effect on health and the environment.

What are VOCs?

VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are carbon-based gasses that are emitted by solids or liquids. These chemicals move from paint into the air and in large quantities can be harmful to the environment and your health, linked to nausea, lethargy and respiratory issues.

In the UK, the permitted amount of VOCs in paint is strictly legislated and it is a legal requirement for paint brands to state the VOC content of their products on the label. If you come across a brand where the VOC content is unavailable, it’s recommended that you avoid using that product.

Is water-based paint more eco-friendly?

Water-based paint is a more eco-friendly choice than other types of paints because it uses water as its primary solvent. This means that it is more biodegradable, odour-free, and produces fewer harmful chemicals. Overall, they have a significantly lower environmental impact than other types of paint.

What is ‘greenwashing’?

As more and more consumers become environmentally-conscious, many brands have started paints advertised as ‘eco-friendly’ paint options - but this doesn’t necessarily mean they all meet the same standard. Misleading branding designed to pay lip service to sustainability is known as 'greenwashing'. It's always advisable to do your research before choosing your paint to make sure claims are backed up.

The best brands to buy eco-friendly paint

Frenchic

Eco-friendly, non-toxic and available in over 60 colours, Frenchic chalk paint is a firm favourite in the upcycling community thanks to its easy-to-use, self-priming formula and range of on-trend finishes which can be used for everything from sprucing up kitchen cabinets to transforming a UPVC door. The brand boasts upcycling paint, wall paint and paint for outdoor surfaces, as well as finishing coats and crackle-effect glazes.

• How to use Frenchic paint around your home

The water-based paint has minimal VOCs and is EN 71-3 certified, meaning it is safe to use on children’s toys and nursery furniture. All this, plus it’s long-life paint, so you won’t have to keep repainting every few years.

Buy Frenchic paints now

Earthborn Paints

Founded in 2002, Earthborn paints were the first UK brand to receive the EU Ecolabel for Indoor Paints and Varnishes - a label of environmental excellence. Thanks to their use of eco-friendly ingredients, the brand offers two fully breathable paint finishes – Claypaint and Ecopro Silicate Masonry Paint – that make a great planet-friendly option for lime plaster or heritage projects.

The VOC content in Earthborn paints is negligible, and the colours that do contain titanium dioxide - the chemical that makes white paint white – only contain a small, responsibly sourced amount in line with the brand’s ‘strict environmental standards.’

Buy Earthborn paints now

Lakeland paints

Set up in 1989 as the original non-toxic paint brand, Lakeland Paints are so organic that their website features a video of their co-founder, Ian West, eating a spoonful of their matte white paint. You probably won't want to replicate that stunt, but it's certainly an eye-catching demonstration of the brand's faith in its credentials!

The brand of choice for the likes of the British Museum and the Louvre, Lakeland Paints are free from VOCs, heavy metals and solvents, making them not only environmentally-friendly, but a safe option for young families or sufferers of asthma and allergies.

• Chalk paint guide: how to use chalk paint around your home

Lakeland’s extensive range includes wall, wood, floor and claypaint, as well as masonry paint, nursery paints, specialised paint and varnish. Each is formulated with three times the standard amount of pigment in their small North Lancashire factory, and if you’re not sure about colours and finishes, there’s an option to buy tester pots from their website.

Buy Lakeland paints now

Lick

A relatively new brand to the market, Lick paint has recently rocketed to cult status thanks to its Instagrammable colour range and sleek, laid-back branding. Luckily for us planet-conscious decorators, it’s eco credentials certainly don’t disappoint either – not only is the product made in small, made-to-order batches to reduce unnecessary waste, but the brand only works with suppliers that meet sustainability standards.

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As well as being water-based, low in VOCs and biodegradable, Lick paints has helped remove the equivalent of nearly 51,000 plastic bottles from the sea through its partnership with recycled plastic jewellery company 4ocean. They even publish handy blog posts about what to do with your leftover paint. Check out the new collection of Lick paint colours, which include restful tones inspired by nature.

Buy Lick paints now

Coat

Surrey-based Coat may not be a household name paint brand, but it's one that’s really doing its bit for the environment. The carbon-positive paint company uses only sustainable, high-grade raw materials to create a water-based paint that’s free from solvents and toxins, and low in VOCs. It's also vegan, for those who want to avoid formulas containing animal byproducts.

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Coat’s packaging is made out of sustainable and recyclable materials, and you can recycle it after use. The best part? Coat are partnered with ECO Union to offer completely sustainable painting supplies to accompany your eco paint – they’re made in the UK from sustainably-harvested bamboo handles, recycled metal frames and sugarcane.

Buy Coat paints now

Farrow & Ball

Perhaps one of the most coveted paint brands on the market, Farrow & Ball are known for their heritage shades and richly pigmented formulas. Luckily for us, the brand is also committed to reducing its impact on the earth, and was the first in the industry to move to an entirely water-based range back in 2010.

• Farrow & Ball alternatives: colour dupes from Dulux, Crown and Homebase

All Farrow & Ball paints meet toy safety standards, and have low levels of VOCs. Their environmental practices also extend to the way they do business, recycling 100% of the dry waste from their Dorset factory and complying with the Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) across all of their UK sites.

Buy Farrow & Ball paints now

Cornish Milk

One of the first things you’ll notice about Cornish Milk paint is its 100% biodegradable and recyclable milk carton packaging, but you’ll be pleased to hear that the premixed, liquid mineral paint inside is eco-friendly too.

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Handmade in the UK, Cornish Milk paints are free from animal products, added VOCs and toxins, and the company has recently reduced its carbon footprint by over 75%. The paints contain Cornish earth pigment, as well as a durable built in top-coat which eliminates the need to wax or varnish after painting your furniture.

Buy Cornish Milk paints now

Victory Colours

Victory Colours is an independent business that was set up after its founders, who had been in the decorating industry for years, started their own families and realised the environmental damage that normal paints were causing. Their answer was creating a range of solvent-free, low VOC water-based paint that was also free of phthalates, formaldehyde, Alkylphenol Ethoxylates (APEO), and heavy metals.

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The company makes their paint to order and uses packaging that is either recycled or made from sustainable sources, like bamboo. They aksi provide hand-painted Eco Sample Panels instead of tester pots, to prevent any unnecessary plastic ending up in landfill.

Buy Victory Colours paint now

Little Greene

In 2004, Little Greene were one of the first UK paint manufacturers to achieve the European environmental standard BS EN ISO, and their water-based paints carry the industry's highest eco rating.

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Little Greene’s water-based paints have virtually zero VOCs and are safe from toxic metals, and their oil-based paints have recently been reformulated using sustainable vegetable oils.

Buy Little Greene paints now

Annie Sloan

If you’re looking for an ethical paint brand, you can’t get much better than Annie Sloan. The company has previously worked with the British Heart Foundation, raises funds for Action Aid, is partnered with Oxfam and is an official living wage employer amongst, as well as being environmentally conscious.

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Annie Sloan Chalk paints have 0.13% VOCs, are non-toxic, and produce approximately 13.9 sq metres of coverage per litre, meaning that you won’t need huge amounts of paint to achieve sufficient coverage. Annie Sloan’s wall paint is water-based, non-toxic and virtually odour-free. It’s worth noting, however, that some Annie Sloan products require a wax sealant, which can produce fumes on application, and should not be used by pregnant women.

Buy Annie Sloan paints now

Eico paints

Eico paints are made in manufacturing plants in Iceland and Sweden, which have been specifically designed to ensure minimal environmental impact through the use of 100% hydropower or geothermal energy. Eico paint therefore has a carbon positive production process, as well as one of the lowest VOC paint ratings in the UK.

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The brand boasts 108 different paint shades, each of which can be used to paint directly over wallpaper.

Buy Eico paints now

Edward Bulmer paint

When Edward Bulmer realised that microplastics comprised up to 15% of some paints, he decided to create his own brand that was committed to protecting the environment and biodiversity. The result is a company that has a completely carbon neutral production process.

• Edward Bulmer: eco-friendly paints and interior restoration

As well as only using only natural earth and mineral pigments to colour their plastic free paints, the company uses naturally occurring raw materials of plant origin, like linseed oil, in the place of dangerous solvents, pesticides, herbicides or toxins.

Buy Edward Bulmer paints now

Once you've got your paints, don't let any leftovers go to waste! Check out our sample paint project ideas for what to do with leftover paint.

For eco-friendly home accessories, take a look at the best sustainable rugs and the best eco kettles for a conscious home.