Does paint contain plastic? What you need to know

When we think about reducing plastic in our homes, we often consider packaging, textiles and everyday household products. But there’s another source of plastic that many people overlook: the paint on our walls.

Many conventional paints contain synthetic plastic-based binders, even when they’re described as water-based. These ingredients help paint adhere to surfaces and form a durable finish, but they also raise questions about the materials we’re bringing into our homes and their wider environmental impact.

So why is plastic used in paint, what happens to it over time, and are there alternatives?

Why does paint contain plastic?

Paint is generally made from pigments, binders, a liquid carrier and other ingredients that influence its application and performance.

The binder is what holds the pigments together and helps the paint adhere to a surface.

Many modern paints use synthetic binders such as acrylic or vinyl polymers, which are commonly derived from petrochemicals. These form a film as the paint dries, providing adhesion and durability.

It’s important to understand that water-based doesn’t necessarily mean plastic-free. Water may be the liquid carrier, but the binder can still be a synthetic polymer.

For anyone looking to make more informed choices about decorating materials, understanding the binder is a useful place to start.

Can paint contribute to microplastic pollution?

Plastic-based paint can contribute to microplastic pollution when particles are released into the environment.

This can happen through weathering, wear, sanding, stripping and the removal of old coatings. Once released, small fragments of synthetic polymers may persist in the environment and contribute to wider plastic pollution.

Paint particles have been identified as a source of environmental microplastics, although estimates of their contribution vary depending on the types of coatings and activities included.

This is one reason why we believe it’s important to consider the full lifecycle of paint, from its raw ingredients and manufacture to application, maintenance and disposal.

Does plastic in paint affect indoor air quality?

When choosing paint for your home, it’s worth considering both the binder and the substances that may be released during application and drying.

Some paints emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can affect indoor air quality. However, plastic content and VOC emissions are not the same thing. A water-based acrylic paint may have low VOC emissions while still containing a plastic-based binder.

Equally, a paint made with natural ingredients isn’t automatically free from emissions or suitable for every application.

Looking at a paint’s ingredients, VOC information and recommended use will help you make a more informed choice.

At Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, we believe in being transparent about what goes into our formulations. Discover more about our ingredients and why we choose them.

What about breathability and the health of your walls?

The type of paint used on a wall can also influence how moisture moves through its surface.

This is particularly important in older buildings, where traditional materials such as lime plaster and masonry often need to allow moisture vapour to pass through.

Some modern coatings have relatively low vapour permeability, while breathable finishes allow moisture vapour to move more readily through the painted surface.

However, not all plastic-based paints are impermeable, and breathability depends on the complete paint formulation rather than the binder alone.

Choosing the right paint is therefore about understanding the building, the substrate and the conditions in which it will be used.

Breathable paint can form part of an appropriate approach to decorating older buildings, but it cannot resolve underlying damp, leaks or ventilation problems on its own.

Is there an alternative to plastic-based paint?

Yes. Plastic-based synthetic binders aren’t the only way to make paint.

At Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, we use plant-based binders alongside carefully selected earth and mineral pigments to create our natural paint formulations.

Our approach reflects a belief that beautiful, practical paint can be made without relying on conventional petrochemical plastic binders.

The pigments are an equally important part of our story. Drawn from naturally occurring materials, they give our colours their distinctive richness and character.

Discover more in our guide to the power of natural pigments.

Our collaboration with Chatsworth House also demonstrates how natural paint can be used in historic interiors, where the relationship between decorative finishes and traditional building materials deserves particular consideration.

How can you make a more informed choice when buying paint?

When comparing paints, look beyond the colour and finish to consider what the product is made from.

Check whether the manufacturer explains which binders and pigments are used, whether the paint is suitable for your walls, and what information is available about VOC emissions and environmental impact.

It’s also worth considering coverage, durability and how the paint should be disposed of when your project is complete.

As Edward Bulmer explains:

“We can make paint with plant and mineral ingredients and still sell them for the same price as other premium paints. People still largely think that plastic paint is harmless because it is water-based. They are wrong and the more we see these sorts of shows that invite us to think about where our products come from and how they are made the more we will understand how to look after ourselves.”

Edward Bulmer

For us, the question is simple: if we can create beautiful, practical paint using plant-based binders and natural pigments, why wouldn’t we?

Discover what’s in your paint

Understanding what goes into your paint is an important part of choosing materials for your home.

Through our Lifting the Lid campaign, we explore the ingredients used in conventional paints and explain why we’ve chosen a different approach.

Explore our natural paint collection and discover colours made using real earth and mineral pigments and plant-based binders.