| GreenPainters are smart painters! Are you a qualified, insured painting contractor keen to position yourself as a leader in the Green Building Industry, which is growing at 6.5% annually? GreenPainters offers nationally recognised training which can help you become sustainable. Once you complete the course and implement the changes in your business,
Benefits of GreenPainter Accreditation: - Co-ordinated marketing. Distinctive clothing, branding and marketing tools
- GreenPainters are used by HIA Greensmart builders, and Master Builders Green Living Program.
- Over 3000 people a week use the GreenPainters web-site to source green paints and painters
- EPA Compliance means you are lowering your risk of getting a fine for environmental mismanagement
- GreenPainters are supported by our participating retailers and Industry Partners
- Training and education opportunities. Learn how to use the latest technology.
- Being a GreenPainter is better for your health! Conventional painters are exposed to many dangerous and poisonous chemicals, many of which are proven carcinogens, in the course of their trade. These chemicals are absorbed through the skin, and the lungs when breathing in fumes. Over time, they accumulate in the body, leading to possible future health issues, including chemical sensitivity, impaired colour vision, tremor, cognitive defects, sterility and associated reproductive risks. Medical studies have proven that long-term exposure to VOCs from using conventional solvent-based paints in confined spaces leads to higher risk of birth defects, and other illnesses. 'Painters Syndrome' is a relatively common illness afflicting tradesmen, and can lead to permanent allergies. The World Health Organisation: International Agency for Research on Cancer Report linked working as a painter with increased risk of cancer by 20%, lung cancer by 40%. Painters Unions in Europe such as UCATT (UK) have negotiated a ban on the use of solvent based paints across councils in order to protect their member decorators. Ninety-three percent of painters had reported suffering health problems relating from solvents in paints. Because GreenPainters use natural or non-toxic paints wherever possible, you avoid these risks, and enjoy better health.
There is an annual certification fee ($330) which pays for web-site advertising, media exposure, promotional t-shirts, business flyers, and associated stationary. GreenPainters also get great deals on the products they use, and exclusive referrals to customers and clients in their area.
'We have completed over 30 jobs using non toxic paints. We employ one full time painter, myself, an apprentice, and a part timer as a [sub-contractor]. Two of these are women who tell me that they love working with us as they know that when working with other paints they are using toxic chemicals'. - Steve Williams, Natural Painting People, Brisbane
| Be a GreenPainter, promote sustainable living and improve your working environment! 'Reading and researching products about sustainability helps keep you focused on your own lifestyle'. - Ian Greenwood, Remedy Painting, Canberra
'Using these new products makes me feel good about my trade again. I feel like Im doing my bit for the environment.' Daniel, Natural Painting Solutions, Byron Bay "I think the GreenPainters program is fantastic and exciting, raising awareness in the industry and to the public. Being my first year working for myself it definitely allowed me to win a lot more work rather than being a conventional painter. It gives me a more confident and credible outlook to others, and I am behind it 100 percent. It definitely has helped me to be further sustainable knowing there are others out there that do care. I try not to take on too much work where I have to travel more than 25 km, I have cut down my water use, and as much as I can I try to use [Certified Low-VOC paints] and really try to push the clay paints and lime paints where suitable. By researching into low voc and natural paints and sustainable painting it is changing the way my family lives in our community." -Marcin, Natural Colour, Sydney
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