We have undoubtedly entered into an era of abundance. We have not only extended our lifespans but also enriched ourselves with unlimited accessories. All too often, such comfort is achieved by the exploitation of resources. This article addresses the need for a sustainable culture within the paint and coatings industry that redirects waste and unused items back into the manufacturing and production cycles. We will focus on the importance of contemplating waste creation in different stages of paint manufacturing, and disposal and methods of putting discarded paint waste to use in the development of new products instead of in landfills and through burial.
Development and continuous changes are eccentric, unavoidable occurrences in the paint and coatings industry. With every action of chemistry in the development process, there are consequences in both inventory levels and waste creation. Generation of obsolete stock, factory waste, customer returns, expired items and damaged products are unavoidable, every day events. It is in the best interest of the industry that such items are re-utilized back in production.