Strokes of genius: The latest in sustainable paint makers

A conversation about a garage full of paint tins and the difficulty of disposing of them was the catalyst for the launch of forward-thinking company YesColours, who have developed Europe’s first waste-saving, fully recyclable paint pouches.

“Over 55 million litres of paint and 14,000 tonnes of tins go to landfill every year – only two per cent are recycled, which is astonishing,” says Creative Director and co-founder Emma Bestley. “We aim to empower customers who care about the environment. Being hugely passionate about sustainability is at the heart of how we operate; from supply chains to raw materials, to supporting British manufacturers. Our paint is also available by the litre to avoid wasteful over-ordering."

Formulating vegan, cruelty-free paints with zero per cent added VOCs (volatile organic compounds that give synthetic products a ‘new carpet’ smell and are sometimes harmful) was also a priority, as was avoiding the use of microplastics.

“We wanted relatable colours for people ready to express themselves creatively,” adds Bestley. “The shades are inspired by our world – culture, travel, nature, movies, music and even food. Our palette is less trend focused, more about a personal connection.”

Family run, independent and UK based, Little Greene has always offered an impressive palette of traditional and contemporary colours, while championing a sustainable approach, but its latest collection takes ecological innovation to the next level.

Using leftover and returned paints that are reformulated into an interior matt finish, ‘Re:mix’ is available in a selection of popular colours from the much-loved range.

“In the past couple of years we’ve really seen consumers looking for products that not only make them happy from a design perspective but that are ethically and sustainably produced, and upcycling in this way prevents as much as 60,000 litres of valuable mineral and organic raw materials from going to waste each year,” explains Creative Director Ruth Mottershead.

“The process was very complex and time-consuming, but it’s amazing to tackle the issue of unwanted stock while enabling customers to make sustainable and eco-friendly decorating choices,” she says. “There is always more to do, and we’ll continue to review our ways of working to further reduce our environmental impact, but it’s a fantastic project to bring to market and one that will hopefully inspire other forward-thinking paint manufacturers too.”

Imagine a 100 per cent natural paint that not only allows a building to breathe, but also purifies the air inside. That’s the USP of Graphenstone, whose founder Antonio León Jiménez took a new approach right from the outset. The key ingredient is graphene, a pure carbon thought to be the strongest material on earth, discovered by Nobel Prize-winning Manchester University scientists.

“Our Ambient Pro+ really is the king of paints,” says UK CEO Patrick Folkes. “It’s made with natural lime and is photocatalytic – it reacts with light and converts toxic gases so they dissipate – which is helpful in spaces where air pollution is a challenge. It also absorbs CO22, and its rich minerality and pigments create a beautiful warm glow you’d never achieve with modern acrylics.”

The company has Cradle to Cradle Gold certification, covering sourcing, energy, water use and local social policies. Plus, all packaging, down to the tape that secures the paint lids, is made from 100 per cent recycled materials and is itself fully recyclable.

With Betsy Smith, formerly of The Conran Shop, on board as colour consultant, their curated palette is impressive too; recent collaborators include designers Tim Gosling and Rose Uniacke, with a new collection with the Ashmolean Museum nearing completion.