The eco-friendly paints we use on our clothing banks

Using low chemical paint to help the planet

At Recycled Clothing Banks, environmental sustainability is at the core of our operations. We are committed to continually reducing our environmental impact by adopting more sustainable practices wherever possible. As part of this commitment, we use one of the highest green-certified paints available to coat all of our recycled clothing banks, helping to minimise emissions and reduce the environmental footprint of our products while maintaining a durable, high-quality finish.

Waterborne paints are widely recognised as a more sustainable alternative to conventional solvent-based coatings due to their significantly lower environmental and health impacts. By using water as the primary carrier instead of organic solvents, they emit substantially fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs), resulting in improved air quality and reduced exposure to hazardous chemicals for both applicators and building occupants. In addition to their environmental benefits, advances in waterborne paint technology have led to significantly reduced drying and curing times

 So, what is waterborne paint?

 Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are carbon-based chemicals that readily evaporate into the air at room temperature. In conventional solvent-based paints, organic solvents are used as the primary carrier for the resin and pigments. As the paint dries, these solvents evaporate, releasing VOCs into the atmosphere. VOC emissions contribute to air pollution, the formation of ground-level ozone and smog, and can have adverse effects on human health, including eye and respiratory irritation, headaches, and, with prolonged exposure, more serious health risks.

Waterborne paints use water as the main carrier instead of organic solvents. Although they may still contain small amounts of co-solvents and other additives that are classified as VOCs, the overall VOC content is substantially lower than that of conventional solvent-based paints. As a result, significantly fewer VOCs are released during application and drying. This reduction in emissions improves indoor air quality, reduces occupational exposure for painters and building occupants, and helps minimise the environmental impact associated with paint use. Consequently, waterborne paints are widely regarded as a more environmentally friendly alternative and are increasingly specified to comply with stricter air quality regulations and green building standards.

Now that you know we are even greener than before, why not install one of our recycled clothing bins which are completely FREE of charge, and branded with your organisation’s logo and brand colours? We’ll even pay you up to £400 per reusable tonne to help your local community projects or support your charity.

We provide and maintain recycled clothing banks at businesses, schools, charities, and local authority sites throughout the South-East of England, offering a simple and environmentally responsible way to recycle unwanted textiles while generating additional income for your organisation. Simply provide your logo or artwork, and we will produce and install a bespoke recycled clothing bank finished with our environmentally certified paint.

We accept reusable clothing, paired shoes, household textiles, and sleeping bags and our experienced team ensures your clothing bank is emptied efficiently and reliably by uniformed staff carrying company ID. As part of every collection, we also clean the bin inside and out and remove any surrounding litter, leaving your site clean, tidy, and well maintained.

If you’re looking for an effortless way to raise funds while supporting textile recycling, contact our friendly team today to find out how a Recycled Clothing Bank can benefit your charity, school, community group, or business while making a positive contribution to the environment.