Decorators encouraged to watch their wasteline
Trade waste is a major issue worldwide and the authorities can impose strict penalties for anything not properly disposed of. The British Government calls on businesses to minimise waste and do everything they can to re-use, recycle or recover items wherever possible. But how practical is that and how does it impact the bottom line?
Decorator Mat Marek offered a range of practical suggestions in a talk at November’s National Painting and Decorating Show in Coventry.
As a founder member of Yorkshire-based Groni Ecological Decorators, a firm set up as the country emerged from the Covid lockdown, Mat was concerned with promoting sustainability and sourcing products less harmful to the environment. His talk focussed on materials, waste management, tools, and transport.
Mat steers clear of ready-mixed fillers, because he says , of their list of ingredients, some very toxic. He looks forward to the day when decorators could purchase refillable tubes and decant fillers direct from the supplier.
Think Local
When choosing paint he researched how far the product had to travel, its formulation and packaging, waste management and price. He warned, some really ‘green’ products had increased drying and curing times and this added to labour costs.
Protective sheets were something that could produce a great deal of waste. He described the most commonly available cotton ones as “low density rubbish.” Based as he was in Yorkshire, he had contacted textile mills around Bradford and obtained some 300 metres of surplus heavy cotton sheets and cut them to size. “They don’t wear out,” he said, adding: “Plus they were manufactured 20 miles away, instead of China.”
Alternatively, cardboard floor protection was becoming popular, was re-usable, and more acceptable than plastic.
Tools; why not second hand
With tools he tried to find those sold with as little packaging and plastic content as possible. Hammers, chisels, scrapes and filling knives could all be bought second hand. He also chose metal buckets and used compostable sponges from Seep, which specialises in biodegradable, plastic-free products.
Paint It Forward
Groni tackled paint wastage with its Paint it Forward Scheme where leftover paint was collected, its coverage calculated and entered into a digital catalogue made available to all customers. If they were happy with the colours on offer and there was sufficient quantity, for, say, a feature wall, then it would be used on a job, saving the customer money and reducing waste.
On Your Bike
Lastly, turning to transport, Mat looked at cycling as a practical form of getting round city jobs. He still has a van to transport him to the outskirts, and then loads his materials onto a cargo bike for the journey into town, beating congestion and saving time.
Tradespeople had voiced their concerns that they would be unable to carry all the tools they required on a bicycle. “This can be solved by being a bit more organised,” Mat told his audience. “Carry one of each instead of three of each. It also keeps you fit physically and mentally.”
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