DIYers want to know: is wall paint vegan friendly & cruelty-free?

It’s the 2020s. Right now, 7.2 million adults in the UK are purportedly following a meatless diet. So, it’s not a huge leap to say there must be a market for paints suitable for vegans, right…? Is paint vegan friendly?

the down low on vegan paint

The truth about vegan paint is that it’s relatively hard to come by without doing some digging. And it’s even rarer to see paints actually specify on the tin whether they are vegan or not. If this wasn’t already enough of a headache, there are also many paint brands marketed as “safe”, “natural” and “sustainable” (all true, by the way!) which sadly still contain animal products.

how can a paint not be vegan friendly?

Ingredients

Nowadays, it’s something of a chore to find DIY products that don’t contain some kind of animal product or ingredient used somewhere along the production processes. Often paint binders incorporate casein (AKA milk protein), components secreted from insects (shellac), ox gall and beeswax.

Animal testing

As well as incorporating animal by-products, many paints are not ethically produced when it comes to animal or human rights. These processes mean that the potential substances contained in paint are tested on the skin of animals or ingested by them.

Confusing labels

Despite the rapidly growing popularity of veganism, labels seldom mention whether a paint is vegan. Needless to say, greenwashing is rife. So be careful when picking out a paint that claims to be ‘green’ or ‘natural’ as it may not specify if it is a cruelty free or vegan paint.

what’s the difference between vegan and cruelty free paint?

vegan paint

Vegan paint products don’t contain any animal-derived substances or use them at any point during their production. This even includes genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that use animal derived genes or substances under the vegan trademark.

Unfortunately, this trademark alone can’t determine whether the paint has been tested on animals (as is true for any products imported from China). So, if you want to ensure that your paint hasn’t contributed the suffering of animals, it’s advisable to check whether they are also cruelty free.

cruelty free paint

These are paint products that haven’t been tested on animals or use any ingredients that have been. This is not to say that they are always vegan. Sometimes cruelty free products include non-vegan ingredients.

vegan paint brands

Although the paint industry skews towards non-vegan products, there are several brands that have stepped into the spotlight in recent years. Vegan wall paints are made from plant-based components and natural minerals.

farrow and ball

Farrow and Ball have been around for a long time and have made solid commitments to sustainability since 2010 when they switched to water-based paints entirely. All F&B paints are classed as “Minimal or Low VOC” (volatile organic components) and their products are not tested on animals. What’s more, there are a number of Farrow and Ball paints which classify as vegan including the following finishes:

• Estate Emulsion
• Estate Eggshell
• Modern Emulsion
• Modern Eggshell
• Full Gloss
• Exterior Eggshell
• Exterior Masonry

little greene

The Little Greene paint range is entirely vegan and the company strongly condemn animal testing in all its forms. Thus, their paints are both vegan and cruelty free – perfect for a passionate animal lover! In addition, all Little Greene paint finishes and shades are sustainable, scoring a 9.5 out of 20 from The Ethical Consumer. There’s no need to worry about the impact of VOCs, because there are none!

paint & paper library

Paint & Paper Library are as big on duty as they are on beauty. Their range of paints are vegan, traditionally manufactured using eco-friendly ingredients. They also exceed current legislation on VOC solvent content in their paints, making them not only healthier for the environment but for all the humans involved in handling it.

COAT

COAT is a climate positive paint company who prioritise both style and the planet. Their paints are low odour and, with an effortless application, they look stunning. If that wasn’t already enough to tempt you, their sustainable logistics, eco-formulations and recycled packaging are designed to reduce waste and encourage mindful consumption.

Other ethical paint considerations

Now you know the answer to that all important question (is paint vegan?) and have some vegan   wall and trim paint products up your sleeves, what other things should you consider?

Waste and recycling

As well as finding a cruelty free paint, you may want to consider its environmental impact. In this regard, we advise that you select an eco-paint with low or no VOCs as these are more easily recyclable and their ingredients are less harmful to the environment when disposed of. And this isn’t a difficult task! With a whole myriad of vegan eco-paints popping up, it’s easier than ever to get your hands on environmentally friendly paints.

Human health and VOCs

Another key consideration for selecting paints, even a vegan paint, is its impact on human health. Some paints still contain VOCs, which emit harmful gasses that are both polluting and harmful to inhale, making them far less than sustainable. For this reason, we recommend opting for paints with eco-friendly solvents when you are choosing between oil or water-based paints.

Pro-tip: always check the ingredients list or contact the supplier if you are unsure whether a product is good for the environment – not all vegan paint is made equally!

Go green – and choose an ethical paint!

Balancing the environmental impact your paint will have on the planet and the animals that live on it can feel like a juggling act. So, we hope that this informative guide has given you the tools to make the best decision for you. And the next time you hear someone ask – “is paint vegan?” – you’ll have all the answers at your disposal. Creative responsibility for the win!

For more environmental tips, explore our backlog of eco-friendly DIY blog posts.