Microplastics in paint: the hidden problem with plastic-based paints

When we think about plastic pollution, we tend to picture discarded bottles, carrier bags and packaging. But plastic is also found in places we might never expect, including the paint on our walls.

Many conventional paints contain acrylic or vinyl binders derived from petrochemicals. These synthetic polymers help paint adhere to a surface and form a durable finish, but they also mean that even a tin labelled ‘water-based’ can contain plastic.

It’s a distinction that is rarely explained to customers, and one that matters as we become increasingly aware of the environmental impact of the materials we use in our homes.

Is there really plastic in paint?

Yes. In many conventional paints, plastic isn’t simply an added ingredient; it’s an essential part of the formulation.

Every paint needs a binder to hold its pigments together and help them adhere to the surface. In conventional emulsions, this is commonly an acrylic or vinyl polymer.

As the paint dries, these polymers form a continuous film across the wall. This is what gives the coating many of its practical properties, including adhesion and resistance to wear.

But it also means that what appears to be an ordinary painted surface is, in many cases, covered with a thin layer of synthetic polymer.

And while water-based paint is often presented as a more environmentally responsible choice, water-based doesn’t mean plastic-free. The water evaporates during drying; the binder remains.

What are microplastics, and how does paint contribute?

Microplastics are tiny particles of plastic, generally defined as measuring less than 5 millimetres.

Some are manufactured at a microscopic size for use in products. Others are created when larger plastic materials break down through wear, weathering or abrasion.

Paint can contribute to this second category. When a plastic-based coating deteriorates, is scraped away or is sanded during redecoration, fragments of the paint film can be released into the surrounding environment.

These particles may enter soil, waterways or household dust, depending on where and how the paint is used or removed.

This isn’t limited to the paint on our walls. Architectural coatings, road markings, marine paints and industrial finishes have all been identified as potential sources of paint-related microplastic pollution.

Why are microplastics a concern?

Unlike many naturally occurring materials, conventional plastics can persist in the environment for long periods. Rather than simply disappearing, larger pieces can fragment into progressively smaller particles.

Microplastics have been detected in rivers, oceans, soils and the air. Research has also documented their ingestion by wildlife, raising concerns about their effects on ecosystems and the wider food chain.

Paint is an increasingly important part of this conversation. Research has identified the deterioration and removal of coatings as sources of microplastic particles, although estimates of their overall contribution vary considerably.

The full environmental and health implications are still being investigated. What is clear is that preventing unnecessary plastic pollution is preferable to trying to remove these particles once they have entered the environment.

What about microbeads in paint?

Microbeads are a particular type of intentionally manufactured plastic particle. They have received considerable attention because of their historical use in products such as exfoliating cosmetics.

Certain paint formulations may also contain synthetic polymer particles as ingredients or additives, but these shouldn’t be confused with all the plastic found in paint.

In many conventional emulsions, the more fundamental issue is the binder itself. Synthetic polymer particles come together as the paint dries to form a continuous coating. That coating can subsequently fragment through wear or removal.

So even where a paint contains no separately added microbeads, it may still rely on a plastic-based binder.

This is why we believe the conversation needs to go beyond individual additives and consider the materials from which paint is made.

Why do we still use plastic to make paint?

Synthetic binders have become widespread because they offer manufacturers a versatile way to produce paints with desirable properties, including durability, adhesion and washability.

But their widespread use doesn’t mean they’re the only way to make a high-performing paint.

At Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, we believe that reducing our reliance on fossil-derived materials should be a priority, particularly where suitable alternatives already exist.

The question isn’t whether plastic has useful applications. Of course it does. It’s whether we need to use it in quite so many everyday products, including those for which more natural alternatives can be developed.

A natural alternative to plastic-based paint

Our natural emulsion is made differently.

Rather than relying on conventional fossil-derived acrylic or vinyl binders, we use a plant-based binder made from renewable agricultural materials, including wheat and maize straw.

Combined with our carefully selected earth and mineral pigments, this allows us to create a durable decorative paint without the conventional plastic binders found in many mainstream emulsions.

It’s an important difference. We don’t believe customers should have to choose between beautiful colour, reliable performance and a more responsible approach to ingredients.

By looking beyond conventional petrochemical formulations, we can reduce our reliance on fossil-derived materials at the point where paint is made, rather than concentrating solely on what happens to its packaging afterwards.

Discover what goes into our natural paint.

How can we reduce plastic pollution from paint?

Choosing paint with greater consideration for its ingredients is one way to make a difference. But how we use and dispose of paint matters too.

A few practical steps can help:

• Ask what’s in the tin. Find out whether a paint uses acrylic, vinyl or other synthetic binders, rather than relying on descriptions such as ‘water-based’ or ‘eco-friendly’.
• Choose the right paint for the job. Good preparation, appropriate primers and correct application can help a finish last longer and reduce unnecessary repainting.
• Avoid washing paint into drains. Remove excess paint from brushes and rollers before cleaning, and follow the manufacturer’s guidance for managing wash water.
• Contain sanding dust and paint debris. When preparing previously painted surfaces, collect dust and scrapings rather than allowing them to disperse outdoors or enter drains.
• Dispose of leftover paint responsibly. Check local waste guidance, and never pour unwanted paint directly into drains or waterways.

Rethinking what goes into our homes

For years, much of the conversation around plastic pollution has focused on what we throw away. But we should also be questioning the materials we buy in the first place.

Paint is something almost every home contains, yet few of us think to ask whether it’s made from plastic.

At Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, we believe that should change. By being transparent about our ingredients and choosing plant-based alternatives to conventional acrylic and vinyl binders, we hope to demonstrate that there is another way to make paint.

Because reducing plastic pollution begins not just with how we dispose of products, but with what we choose to make them from in the first place.

Inspired by the environmental writing and thinking of Edward Bulmer, founder of Edward Bulmer Natural Paint.