Greenlight or Greenwash? Part 1

Just back from the National Painting and Decorating Show, you couldn't help but notice the range of eco/green decorating products. Everyone seems to playing the environmentally-sound card, but who is for real and who is on the bandwagon?
Over the next few weeks I'll be testing a few eco decorating products to see whats what.

                                                   First up: The Envirosolutions Roller cleaner

A garden hose is connected to the pointy end, insert a roller into the other, turn on the tap, job done.

According to the manufacturer a roller can be cleaned with 8ltrs vs 40ltrs the old fashioned way.

I haven't used it yet but if it works as promised it will save time and water. On the downside its imported from Dulux Australia, so who knows how many ltrs you need to save to offset the carbon cost of importing it from the other side of the world.

Next in: Eco Ezee Brushes

'Sustainability without compromise' is the tag line. The bristles are 80% solid round tapered recycled synthetic fillaments with a 20% natural bristle blend. The use of natural bristles reduces the amount of plastic. Although natural bristles are out of favour for most paints now the brush performs well, I tested one in the afternoon which had been used for demos all day and was impressed how well it cut.

 The handle is bamboo, which is quick growing and lightweight. It feels nice in the hand and looks good too. The ferrule is recycled stainless steel. 

So far it ticks all the boxes - too good to be true perhaps? Well its made in China, then shipped to the USA before being imported to good old Blighty! 

Now that nice bamboo handle - in theory bamboo is sustainable but it needs to be replanted when harvested. It may be quick growing but some species dont flower for 120 years, so seeds can be hard to come by.

Since bamboo is marketed as a green material demand has soared putting pressure on plant populations.

That's all for now, if you have used these products or have an opinion you'd like to share, do comment!