What Actually Is Eco Paint? The Environmentally-Sound Brands to Buy Into for a Healthier, More Sustainable Home

Painting the walls and refreshing your room is all fun and games until the fumes get to your head and remind you of what nasties can be found in a tin of paint. Fortunately, it's 2025, and there is a way to embrace a remodel while simultaneously being environmentally conscious — and it is a conveniently named product: eco paint.

The skeptic in me had to do a little research before buying into the eco paint idea. It is easy to slap an environment-loving label on something, but it's less easy to decipher which products actually pass the test. So what exactly is eco paint, you ask? Home renovations contractor, paint expert, and founder at Toronto-based Kozak Renovations, Lurii Kozak, says, "Natural paints, or eco paints, are paints that use plant-derived oils, resins, and mineral pigments, which are natural, renewable, and non-toxic ingredients. While their counterpart, traditional paints, have high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)."

Eco paint ingredients are sourced sustainably and contribute less environmental pollution (a win for sustainable living practices). "Eco paints may also contain biodegradable elements and may not contain chemicals like formaldehyde, phthalates, and heavy metals," says Lurii. The result is a paint product with low toxic fume emission potential and ecological footprint. Therefore, they appear safer for the planet and the user.

To be fair, lots of modern paints can be considered eco paints — fortunately, it's not the 1950s anymore, so we don't have to worry about painting our walls with lead — but some paints are leading the way with the healthiest formulations and sustainable materials. Here's what you need to know.

Criteria to Look For In Eco Paint Products

The best tip I can give is to know what you are looking for before you dive in. As mentioned previously, labels can be deceiving, so it's best to be aware of the boxes that need ticking and know where to buy eco-friendly paint.

At a quick glance, many eco paints are water-based and have natural pigments or biodegradable materials. These paints typically avoid heavy solvents and toxic chemicals that are often found in traditional paint. Here are the three most common signs of a dependable eco paint product.

• Environmental Certifications: When buying eco paint, Lurii Kozak says, "Ensure certifications like Green Seal or EcoLabel, which guarantee a product according to a certain set of environmental and health standards."
• VOC Ratings: Low or zero-VOC ratings are another indicator of the low environmental impact of the paint.
• Whole Ingredients: It is wise to give the ingredient list a quick check before buying your eco paint. Lurii says, "Ensure it is free from heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium, which are destructive to health and environmental integrity."

How Does Eco Paint Differ From Regular Paint?

So, let's get down to brass tax: where will you be able to spot the differences between eco paint and regular paint? And are there any drawbacks to eco paint?

The good news is that the biggest differences between eco and regular paint are eco paint's benefits. As the name strongly suggests, eco paints are an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional paints. Their commonly water-based composition "ensures low or zero VOC levels, reducing pollution and improving indoor air quality," says paint expert from The Paint Shed, Michael Rolland, making them a safer and more sustainable choice for homes.

Additionally, searching for how to get rid of the smell of paint is a thing of the past. Michael says, "They are virtually odorless, avoiding the strong chemical smell often associated with drying paint."

As for the paint finishes and durability of eco paint, Michael says, "Where historically, oil-based paints were considered more durable, modern water-based formulas now offer comparable durability." There is the possibility of an eco paint having a more matte or natural finish because of the natural materials and lack of harsh oils, but on the whole, you can expect an almost identical final result.

Opting for eco paint not only makes a positive environmental impact, but it is the cleaner and safer option for your home. Now, all that's left is learning how to dispose of paint in a safe and eco-conscious way.