Calculate the Carbon Footprint of Paint Emissions: Types of Paint Impact on the Planet

To get an accurate measure of the carbon footprint of paint, it’s important to first examine the emissions that fall under each of the three scopes for the paint industry.

SCOPE 1: Fossil fuels burned as a direct result of company operations. Totaled across all paint manufacturers for industry value.

• Emissions associated with the use of company vehicles to transport materials to and from various locations.
• Emissions associated with employee travel for work purposes.
• Emissions associated with on-site combustion for heating, boiling, cooling, filtration, etc.
• Emissions associated with on-site chemical use and evaporation secondary to manufacturing, cleaning, etc.
• Emissions associated with the construction of manufacturing facilities (This is scope 1 if construction is carried out by members of the paint industry, but it is scope 3 upstream if construction is carried out by 3rd party and purchased by the paint industry after the fact).

SCOPE 2: Emissions associated with third-party generation of electricity to supply manufacturers’ energy needs.

• The amount of emissions from scope 2 depends upon the carbon intensity of the electric grid in the area (the way the energy is produced and the energy supplier’s organizational practices).

SCOPE 3: ‘Value chain emissions’ that are created prior to or during manufacturing (not by manufacturing company directly) of the product or by use of the product after manufacturing.

1. Upstream:

• Emissions associated with the mining, collection, processing, and transport of raw materials.
• Emissions associated with the manufacturing of machinery used by the paint industry.
• Emissions associated with employees’ commutes to and from work in personal vehicles.

2. Downstream:

• Emissions associated with transport (not by the manufacturing company) of paint cans, barrels, tubs, equipment, and supplies between various places for commercial sale, industrial use, etc.
• Emissions associated with consumer use of paint products, such as vapors released into the air.
• Emissions associated with end-of-life treatment of paint (landfill vs. recycling).

Thus, measuring the carbon footprint of a single can of paint would require a knowledge of:

1. The type of paint and all of the ingredients in the paint
2. How those materials were collected, processed, and transported
3. Where the paint was manufactured
4. How the manufacturing facility was constructed
5. Where the manufacturing facility obtained its electricity
6. The electricity generating facility’s carbon intensity
7. The carbon intensity of the electric grid in the area
8. The amount and type of travel required of employees of the manufacturer
9. The amount of energy used in producing a can of paint
10. The amount of energy used for cooling, heating, and filtration systems at the manufacturing facility
11. The chemicals and materials required for production and cleaning and emissions from their use
12. The number of employees and average emissions created in employee commute to and from work
13. The type of packaging used for the paint and emissions created in producing it
14. The distance and method of transportation of the paint to its destination
15. The way that the paint is used and stored by the consumer
16. The way that the paint is disposed of by the consumer

Note: What is included in carbon footprint calculations can vary from source to source, and it’s important to note what items are excluded when reading carbon footprint reports. An argument could be made for including additional domains not listed above, such as the emissions associated with the production, transport, distribution, sale, and waste of paint supplies (brushes, trays, rollers, drop cloths, etc.).

Breaking Down the Carbon Footprint of the Paint Industry

Breaking down the carbon footprint of the paint industry is critical to understanding where emissions are produced and how they can be reduced. As outlined earlier, the industry is complex and there are many sources of direct and indirect emissions for a single can of paint.

The estimated carbon footprint of the three largest paint industries worldwide for 2022 was reported as follows:¹²

• PPG: 870,000 metric tons (mt) of CO₂e or roughly 1.9 billion pounds. This is equivalent to driving 193,601 gas-powered passenger vehicles or powering 109,649 homes for one year.³²
• Sherwin-Williams: 710,266 metric tons of CO₂e or 1.5 billion pounds. This is equivalent to driving 158,056 gas-powered passenger vehicles or powering 89,517 homes for one year. NOTE that Sherwin-Williams only reported on Scope 1 and 2 emissions.²⁸
• Nippon: 2,547,346 metric tons of CO₂e or 5.6 billion pounds. This is the equivalent of driving 566,862 gas-powered passenger vehicles or powering 321,051 homes for one year.
  NOTE that Nippon reported CO₂e emissions for their 3 largest holdings but not the fourth, smaller holding. Additionally, scope 3 emissions are only available for 2 of the 3 large holdings.

The following sections attempt to move step-by-step through the paint manufacturing process, exploring the CO₂e at each stage. This analysis relies on sustainability reports from these industry leaders.

Carbon Footprint of Raw Material Acquisition and Transport

The raw materials used in paint production are usually procured by a third-party company that supplies paint to the manufacturer or another third-party intermediary.

However, the paint industry’s demand for these materials drives the mining and collection and thus, becomes part of the industry’s overall footprint. These are scope 3 upstream emissions.

Nippon Paint Holdings breaks down scope 3 emissions into categories for their Japan Group and Dulux Group (Pacific). For their Japan group, purchased goods and services and capital goods generated 1,121,806 metric tons of CO₂e, compared to the Dulux Group which generated 749,841 metric tons of CO₂e for those same categories.¹⁹

The combined 1,871,647 metric tons of CO₂e is equivalent to driving 416,498 gas-powered passenger vehicles or powering 235,890 homes for one year.

But don’t forget that even after the material mining has been completed, the raw materials still require packaging and transport to their destination, another carbon-heavy process.

Nippon reported 2022 data for upstream transportation and distribution for their Japan Group (34,839 metric tons) and their Dulux Group (20,878 metric tons). The combined 55,717 metric tons of CO₂e is equivalent to driving 12,399 gas-powered passenger vehicles or powering 7,022 homes for one year.^12,19

Carbon Footprint of Paint Production

The carbon footprint of paint production spans all three scopes and is the most complex in its calculation. Paint production calculations will typically include all scope 1 emissions and scope 2 emissions as well as scope 3 emissions for employee commutes.

Again, Nippon provides the most categorical information, and their report is used for reference values here.

For their Japan group, Nippon reports scope 1 and 2 emissions at 41,476 metric tons of CO₂e and scope 3 employee commutes at 1,595 mt. The Dulux Group is very similar at 41,550 metric tons and scope 3 employee commutes at 3,613 mt of CO₂e.

Nippon also lists operational waste and business travel under scope 3 rather than scope 1. For Japan Group, these numbers are 14,458 mt and 470 mt, respectively.

For the Dulux group, the numbers are 7,366 and 3,613 mt, respectively.

The following sums up these totals for a rough estimate of manufacturing CO₂e.¹⁹

• Japan Group: 41,476 + 1,595 + 14,458 + 470 = 57,999 metric tons of CO₂e
• Dulux Group: 41,550 + 3,613 + 7,366 + 3,613 = 56,142 metric tons of CO₂e

Carbon Footprint of Paint Packaging

The carbon footprint of packaging any product can be an easy domain to overlook. Packaging includes the carbon emissions from obtaining raw materials for containers, manufacturing the containers, and the use of machinery to package the paint inside the containers.

Most emissions at this stage are scope 2 electricity emissions, and scope 3 upstream raw material acquisition and transport emissions. If on-site combustion is used in packaging, this contributes to scope 1 emissions.

(Image: Katya Ross⁵³)

Although none of the industry leaders report specifically on packaging emissions, an independent analysis suggests that paint packaging contributes approximately 1.06 kg CO₂e per functional unit.³¹ This number is very low compared to other numbers in this analysis because it represents a single unit of paint.

The number would need to be multiplied by all units of paint packaged within the year to get the overall carbon footprint. Nevertheless, it is highly likely that this stage generates some of the lowest emissions of the process.

Carbon Footprint of Paint Transport

According to the EPA, nearly 30% of the United States’ annual GHG emissions are attributable to transportation!³⁰ It should come as no surprise then, that the transport of finished paint products from manufacturers to retailers to consumers contributes significantly to paint’s overall carbon footprint.

Particularly when considering that many large paint manufacturing facilities are located abroad, international air freight vs sea freight carbon footprint becomes a huge factor. These emissions are shared scope 1 and scope 3 downstream.^32,38

Nippon is the only industrial leader that breaks down scope 3 emissions by category, and for the two groups for which it reports scope 3 emissions, downstream transportation and distribution is only reported for the Dulux group, which generated an estimated 115,722 metric tons of CO₂e in 2022. This is equivalent to driving 25,752 gas-powered passenger vehicles or powering 14,585 homes for one year.^12,19

Carbon Footprint of Painting

While the paints and methods used for painting ships, military vehicles, bridges, and even automobiles have received particular attention for their deleterious health and environmental effects, the impact of paints used in home exteriors and interiors cannot be dismissed.

(Image: Bjørnar Kibsgaard⁵⁴)

The carbon footprint of painting is highly influenced by the types of paint and application methods selected by the consumer as well as the amount of paint supplies and additional chemicals (paint thinners, primers, etc.) purchased. Higher levels of chemical solvents and spray-on applications will have a larger environmental impact.

Nippon reports on “use of sold products,” for one of their groups, and this is the closest estimate to carbon emissions from painting. For the group reported on, the consumer use estimate is 8,706 mt of CO₂e, equivalent to driving 1,937 gas-powered passenger vehicles or powering 1,097 homes for one year.^12,19

Again, remember that this is one single manufacturer’s report on one of their holdings.

An independent study found that high-performance paints have a higher carbon footprint than market entry paints when measured liter per liter, but the high performance could be significantly lower when applied correctly (less purchased, less used). Thus, consumer behavior (buying excess paint, applying extra coats, spraying rather than brushing) was highly determinant of paint carbon footprint.³¹

Carbon Footprint of Paint Disposal (Hazardous Waste Disposal Carbon Footprint)

The “end-of-life” treatment of any product can contribute greatly to its lifetime carbon footprint, and this is even more pronounced with hazardous waste disposal. It is extremely common for consumers to purchase more paint than needed, resulting in excess paint at the end of the project.

Most excess paint is disposed of in the trash. While this is technically an approved method for disposal of water-based paints, The Paint Foundation reports that waste from traditional paint that is thrown into landfills takes seven centuries to decompose.¹⁸

Furthermore, oil-based paints cannot be disposed of in the trash and can create serious hazards if they are. These are scope 3 downstream emissions.

(Image: Alachua County⁵¹)

The carbon footprint of paint disposal depends upon the type of paint, amount of paint, and disposal method.

Oil paints create hazardous waste which must be taken to a collection site where chemicals are used to break them down for disposal. Water-based paints can be dried and disposed of with normal waste, but this still has a heavy environmental impact.

Nippon Paint Holdings measured and reported on scope 3 emissions for two of their four company holdings, and for those two groups alone, an estimated 60,763 metric tons of CO₂e was generated from product end-of-life disposal in 2022.

This is the equivalent of driving 13,500 gas-powered cars powering 7,500 homes for one year. And remember that this statistic only represents consumer waste of paint products from two facilities of thousands of facilities worldwide.^12,19

What Is a Carbon Footprint Anyway?

Before diving into the carbon footprint of the paint industry, you need to understand the basic concept of emissions. “What is a carbon footprint, in the first place?”

Carbon footprint is the term that has been adopted to represent the global warming potential of a particular entity. Every individual, every country, every company, every product, and every activity has a carbon footprint, and that footprint is the sum of greenhouse gas emissions released by the entity.⁴

Greenhouse gases (GHG),³⁹ such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrous oxide(N₂O), and methane (CH₄) are continuously released into the atmosphere where they essentially blanket the earth, trapping heat and creating a greenhouse effect (See U.S. Energy Information Administration).¹³ Because individual GHGs have a differential effect on global warming, a carbon dioxide equivalent coefficient (CO₂e) is used in calculations to weigh each gas accordingly (See EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator).¹²

Various free carbon footprint calculators like the one on this site are available online to provide valuable insight for persons seeking more information about their carbon impact,³ and knowing how to calculate carbon footprint manually is a useful skill.

NOTE that water usage is not typically factored into carbon footprint calculations, but it does have an impact on the environment and is often examined parallel to emissions to get a complete picture of an entity’s “ecological footprint.”

How Is Paint Made?

The process of manufacturing paint contributes a significant amount of emissions to its overall carbon footprint, so exactly how is paint made? The process requires the following steps:^{2, 24, 37}

1. Purchase, acquisition, and inspection of raw materials from the supplier (pigments, solvents, resins, additives).
2. Weighing raw materials to adjust for the correct amount.
3. Dispersal of powdered pigments in the binder (oil, acrylic resin) in large tanks.
4. Pre-mixing of pigment to break apart larger clusters and distribute them evenly throughout the binder.
5. Grinding of pigments using a mill (basket mill, ball mill, roller mill, hammer mill, etc.) to achieve the desired fineness and color intensity.
6. Addition of solvents and additives to achieve desired viscosity.
7. Inspection of paint fineness, color, and stability (and adjustment as necessary).
8. Filling/packaging the paint containers (cans, buckets, tubes, etc.) to prepare for transport.

What Are the Different Paint Types?

There are two primary paint types available commercially: oil-based paints and water-based paints.

Formerly, the industry was dominated by oil-based paints, but the quality, availability, and versatility of water-based paints have steadily been edging their oil-based counterparts out of popularity.

1. Oil Based Paint

Before the formulation of water-based paints, oil-based paints were the norm. Oil-based paints contain higher levels of chemical solvents and are subsequently known as “solvent-based paints” or “alkyd paints.”

In-home interiors, oil-based paint is typically reserved for painting wood surfaces such as cabinets and trim.¹⁷

Oil-based paints have the advantage of durability, but they are much slower to dry and contain more toxic chemicals, such as hydrocarbons. The now-banned lead paints are a highly toxic subset of oil-based paints, but oil-based paints are also known to contain other dangerous heavy metals, such as mercury, chromium, cobalt, and barium.

These heavy metals contribute to the carbon footprint of oil-based paint, as do the additional chemical solvents required to clean painting materials.²¹

2. Water Based Paint

Water-based paints have been available commercially in the United States since at least the 1940s.⁵ For centuries, the paint industry was consistently dominated by various alkyd paints (oil-based), and these solvent-based paints continue to predominate for several more decades.

However, persistent researchers steadily improved waterborne paint technology, so that over time it became increasingly apparent that water-based paints were easier and safer to use, more versatile, and faster to dry.

Water-based paints are often called acrylic latex, but “acrylic” and “latex” are not synonymous and there are slight variations of water-based paint. Acrylic paint, while still safer than oil-based alternatives, has higher levels of chemical solvents than its latex counterpart.

For this reason, latex is often preferred for large house projects, but acrylic may be used more for exterior painting and bathroom painting due to its superior durability and water resistance.¹⁵

What Is Paint Made Of?

After outlining the primary types of paint, it is time to address the question “What is paint made of?” Different paint types have varying compositions, but these are the primary ingredients/materials used in each:^{6, 20, 22, 23, 29}

1. Oil-Based Paints

• Binder/Oil base (such as linseed)
• Pigments (using natural minerals such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, cadmium, ochre, charcoal, chalk, etc. or synthetic)
• Solvents (such as turpentine)
• Additives (such as aluminum stearate for pigment suspension, biocides for mold resistance, thickeners, and driers)

2. Water-Based Paints

• Binder (acrylic, vinyl acrylic)
• Pigment (titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, talc, charcoal, etc.)
• Solvents (primarily water)
• Additives (thickeners, surfactants, biocides, defoamers, and co-solvents)

What Are Volatile Organic Compounds?

The vast majority of commercially available paints, both oil and water-based, also contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs).⁴⁴

The EPA defines VOCs as natural or synthetic chemicals with low water solubility and high vapor pressure. They are common solvents and are emitted in gas form from many household products, from pesticides to cleaning supplies to glues and permanent markers.

When released, VOCs are evaporated into the air where they can be respired by humans/animals and contribute to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. They are also known to contaminate groundwater.³⁴

(Image: Jossué Trejo⁵²)

Although oil-based paints have been found to have higher amounts of VOCs than water-based, most water-based paints also contain VOCs. The most common VOCs found in paints include benzene,⁴⁵ toluene,⁴⁶ and xylene,⁴⁷ all of which have demonstrated significant potential for personal and environmental harm.⁹

Tips For Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Paint

Understanding the carbon footprint of paint is a necessary prerequisite for addressing it.

There are several companies around the world attempting to do just that. But how can the environmental impact of the paint industry be reduced or even reversed?

Paint’s carbon footprint can be approached from two primary directions: the manufacturer and the consumer. In 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency published a fact sheet for manufacturers with information on how to decrease their carbon footprints.

Although better technologies have been developed in the last two decades since the article was written, the basic tenets are still applicable:²⁵

• Reduce impact from hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, and chromium by replacing them with safer alternatives.
• Reduce impact from particle pollution in the form of dust by exchanging dry, powdered ingredients used in pigment grinding for pastes or other moist formulations. Capture and reuse pigment dust when applicable.
• Reduce impact from chemical vapors by sealing vats, barrels, and tanks completely and securely during production and transport.
• Reduce impact from cleaning solvents by avoiding excessive buildup through cleaning more frequently, allocating equipment to like products to decrease the necessity of clean-up, using high-pressure water in place of solvents to clean equipment and tanks, selecting safer solvents, and reusing solvents as much as possible.
• Reduce impact from hazardous waste by repurposing and reusing equipment and materials whenever feasible, and by establishing recycling programs for excess consumer paint.
• Use scientific advances to formulate safer paints and manufacturing techniques. Consider incorporating green technology and designing paint with carbon offset advantages.¹¹

There are also many ways that consumers can help reduce the carbon emissions from paint.

Consult the following tips before beginning a new painting project.^7,10

• Look for and select “eco-friendly” paints. These are paints that contain no VOCs to very low VOCs and have biodegradable ingredients.
  They may be labeled as “natural” paints but check the certifications. Avoid oil- or solvent-based paints.
• Purchase the amount of paint needed and resist the temptation to over-buy. Sample paint before purchasing.
• Use reusable drop cloths, rollers, trays, and other supplies.
• Follow instructions when cleaning painting tools to minimize environmental impact.
• Seal unused paint tightly before storing to reduce escaping vapors
• Recycle excess paint at appropriate locations.

Paint’s Impact on Health: Are Paint Fumes Toxic?

This article has illustrated the environmental impact of paints and the paint industry as a whole, but there is one important question to be answered: “Are paint fumes toxic to people?”

This is an issue that should be taken very seriously considering the amount of paint that is used worldwide, the volatile organic compounds contained therein, and the number of individuals who are exposed to fresh paint in their daily lives.

Although most cans of paint will assert that the product is safe when used as directed, this is not the full story. In recent years, studies have been finding adverse effects of paint fumes, particularly chronic paint fume inhalation.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),¹ the vast majority of paints release vapors that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. VOCs are known to cause eye and throat/lung irritation as well as symptoms such as dizziness and headaches with prolonged or intense exposure.

Some individuals are more susceptible to these compounds than others, and increasingly, sources are linking these chemicals to cancer, as well as liver and kidney damage. Paint thinners are even more dangerous, so these should be avoided whenever possible.¹

A scholarly article published in 2023, available through the National Institute of Health (NIH) reports that VOCs account for over 30% of paint ingredients. The researchers assessed the most common and dangerous VOCs present in paint production and found that there was a significantly higher incidence of cancer and other health problems in individuals with chronic exposure.

The study results indicate that some of the most harmful VOCs include:⁹

• Benzene
• Ethylbenzene⁴⁸
• Styrene⁴⁹
• Toluene
• Xylene

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has published “Healthy Indoor Painting Practices” which emphasizes the dangers of paint vapors and the importance of taking proper precautions when using paint and returning to newly painted areas.¹⁴

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers additional guidelines for employees who are chronically exposed to paints with toxic compounds.⁵⁰ These sources advise that individuals:¹⁴

• Choose appropriate paints (Ex. Use only interior paint when painting indoors) and appropriate amounts
• Check paint labels and choose paints with lower VOCs [water-based (latex) paints are typically safer than oil-based (alkyd or solvent) paints]
• Ensure adequate ventilation when painting indoors (In other words, open windows and doors to outside and use fans), but block off air duct access to prevent vapors from traveling to other areas of the residence
• Wear an N95 mask or respirator when painting
• Follow safety instructions on the product
• Take regular fresh air breaks when painting
• Continue ventilation and minimize exposure to freshly painted areas for 2 to 3 days
• Clean the painting equipment and dispose of empty paint cans according to product instructions
• Store excess paint, tightly sealed, in an area separate from the living space as vapors can leak through the cans
• Avoid paint fumes entirely if: pregnant, a young child, or an individual with breathing issues

This article has demonstrated the complexity of estimating paint’s carbon footprint and highlighted the carbon intensity of various paint manufacturing processes, paint ingredients, paint types, and paint application methods.

Understanding the true carbon footprint of paint and the paint industry will help every paint manufacturer and consumer make better, informed decisions in paint development, selection, use, and disposal!

Frequently Asked Questions About Carbon Footprint of Paint