The paints and varnishes that we use to decorate the house, or protect wood, plastic and so on from the elements are manufactured using four groups of prime materials: alloys, solvents, pigments and additives. In each of these groups, materials that are more or less toxic or contaminating are used. Likewise with varnish, lacquer, solvents and glue. For this reason they are considered dangerous domestic materials.

Heavy materials such as cadmium and titanium dioxide are used to manufacture the paint pigments. The latter generates liquid residue that contains sulphuric acid, heavy metals and chlorinated hydro carbonates.

Decorative paints can be divided into two groups: solvent-based and water-based. Ecological groups recommend the use of water-based paints because they are less contaminating and easier to recycle.

Solvent-based paints tend to include a small quantity of additives, most commonly VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), that account for 3% of the VOC pollution in the EU, according to the European Commission on Paints, Printing Inks and Artistic Colours (CEPE). Most solvent-based decorative paints do not require the addition of solvents or diluting liquids before use although solvents are frequently used to clean brushes and so on.

Recycling paint, varnish and aluminium
Paint, varnish, solvents and other similar products account for 60% of dangerous residue dumped by private consumers. We also have to bear in mind that the container is often made of aluminium, a metal that is highly abundant in the ground. However, its extraction and recycling is very costly, hence it is vital to dispose of it correctly.

To properly recycle the residue of these products, they must be deposited in the so-called Puntos Limpios (Clean Points), spread throughout Spain's autonomous communities. These are specialised installations that have containers in which to dump dangerous residue. Once stored and separated, the residue is sent to different recycling centres to be correctly processed.

100 million users throughout Europe
According to CEPE, the European decorative paint industry sells around 3,300,000 tons and makes some 7,000 million euros a year, which accounts for 60% of the total paints market. There are 3,300 manufacturers operating in the sector and 100,000 sales outlets, serving some 100 million domestic users.

The Spanish chemical paint sector (that includes the production of paints, inks, enamels, varnish, detergents and other cleaning products, perfume and cosmetic products) accounts for 32.6% of the Spanish chemical industry. In 2001, the sector raised some 9,785 million euros, 3.6% more than in 2000, according to Feique (the Spanish chemical industry business association).

There are 310 companies and 7,100 workers active in the sector in Spain. In 2000 the paint and varnish market enjoyed a major boost thanks to the excellent results of the client sectors, especially the motor and construction industries.

Did you know...?
- The Spanish paint and varnish manufacturing sector produces some 81,000 tons a year. Around 64% ends up in the decoration and construction sectors (51,840 tons).

- The total volume of dangerous residue (including paints, varnish, solvents and glue) generated during 1999 in the Community of Madrid was 124,000 tons, some 13% of the total amount of dangerous residue generated, which this year amounted to 843,000 tons.

- The recycled aluminium with which the paint and varnish tins are generated reduces atmospheric contamination by 95% during their manufacture. The production of aluminium using recycled aluminium uses up 90% less energy than using the actual mineral.

- The cryogenic process is used to recycle paint and varnish tins. This system solidifies the residual liquid paint until it becomes as fragile as glass. It can thus be easily separated from its container. The paint is thus burned off without any significant environmental impact. This technique is also used for oils, glue and other similar products.

- Cleaning used brushes over ground is not recommended as they could be absorbed by the soil and contaminate the subterranean water. The leftover paint, varnish and solvents should also not be washed down the sink or flushed down the toilet. Swapping these leftover products with other users is also a good idea.

- Within the European Union there is an ongoing concern with improving the air quality, with particular attention to sulphur and nitrogen oxide, ammonia and CFO emissions. The Technical Committee of Decorative Paint of CEPE recommends using water-based solutions as decorative paints. In the past few decades they have increased in popularity and now corner some 70% of the market.