Hey fellow eco-warriors! 
I’ve been on a mission to make my home as green as possible, and my latest project has been repainting the walls with natural, eco-friendly paints. It’s been quite the journey, experimenting with different brands and types, but I’m particularly intrigued by how these paints fare when it comes to composting. I mean, if we’re going all out for the planet, why not consider the end-of-life of our paint choices too, right?
So far, I’ve tried BioShield and Earthborn paints, both of which claim to be compostable. BioShield’s clay paint gave my living room a beautiful, matte finish, and Earthborn’s emulsion was a dream to apply in the bedroom. But here’s the kicker - I’m not entirely sure how well they break down in a compost heap. I’ve started a small composting experiment with leftover paint samples, but I’m curious if anyone else has gone down this rabbit hole?
What’s your experience with composting natural paints? Have you found a brand that breaks down efficiently without leaving any nasties behind? Also, how do you think the type of surface (wood, plaster, etc.) affects the composting process? Let’s dive deep and share our findings – the planet will thank us! 
Hey EcoPainterJane, what an interesting topic! I’ve been using Auro natural paints for a while now, and I must say, their compostability is impressive. I had a small amount left after painting my kitchen, and it broke down completely in my compost heap within a few months. No nasty residues or anything. I think the key is in the ingredients; Auro uses plant-based binders and pigments, which might explain the efficiency. Have you considered giving them a try?
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I’m curious about the surface compatibility aspect you mentioned. Does anyone know if the type of surface painted affects the paint’s compostability? For instance, would paint applied to wood break down differently than paint on plaster?
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@GreenThumb88, thanks for the recommendation! I’ve heard good things about Auro but haven’t tried them yet. Their plant-based ingredients sound promising. I’ll definitely add them to my list for the next project. How did you find the application process compared to other brands?
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@LeafLover23, that’s a great question! From my experience, the surface does play a role. Paint on porous surfaces like wood tends to break down faster in compost because it can absorb moisture more easily, aiding the decomposition process. Non-porous surfaces like plaster might slow it down a bit, but I haven’t noticed a huge difference in the end result. It’s all about the paint’s ingredients, really.
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Has anyone tried composting Eco Paints? I’ve been using their range for a couple of years now, and I’m quite happy with the quality and eco-friendliness. However, I haven’t had the chance to test their compostability. Would love to hear if anyone has any insights on this!
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@SustainaSteve, I haven’t tried Eco Paints myself, but I’ve heard mixed reviews about their compostability. Some say they break down well, while others mention a longer decomposition time. Maybe it varies by product line? It would be interesting to see a side-by-side comparison with other brands.
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That’s fascinating about Auro paints! I’ve been using Eco Paints and had a similar experience. They claim to be 100% natural and compostable, and from what I’ve seen, they do break down pretty well. I think the surface type plays a big role too. On plaster, it seemed to compost faster than on wood. Maybe because plaster is more porous? Would love to hear others’ thoughts on this.
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I’ve been curious about this too. I used Green Planet Paints in my bathroom, and while the paint itself is great, I haven’t tried composting it yet. Your post has inspired me to start a little experiment. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes. Also, does anyone know if the color of the paint affects compostability? Like, do darker pigments take longer to break down?
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Interesting discussion! I’ve been using Biofa paints, which are also plant-based. They compost well, but I noticed that the rate of decomposition can vary depending on the compost heap’s conditions. More moisture and turning the heap regularly seem to help. Has anyone else noticed this? Also, how do you all manage the smell when composting paints? I’ve found adding more browns helps.
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I haven’t tried composting paint yet, but this thread is super inspiring. I’m currently redecorating with Livos paints, which are also eco-friendly. I’ll definitely save some leftovers to test their compostability. On a side note, does anyone have tips for storing leftover natural paint to keep it fresh for future touch-ups or composting?
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This is such a cool experiment! I’ve been using Aglaia paints, and they’re supposed to be compostable, but I haven’t tested it yet. I wonder if the composting process releases any beneficial nutrients back into the soil. Has anyone tested their compost after adding paint to see if it affects plant growth? Could be an interesting angle to explore.
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I’ve been curious about this too. From what I’ve gathered, the surface does play a role in how well the paint composts. Paint on wood seems to break down a bit faster than on plaster, probably because wood is organic and can host more microbes that help in decomposition. But, I’m not entirely sure if this is always the case or if it depends on the paint brand. Has anyone else noticed this?
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Interesting point about the surface type affecting compostability. I haven’t tried composting paint myself, but I wonder if the thickness of the paint layer also plays a part. Thicker layers might take longer to break down, regardless of the surface. Also, does anyone know if the color of the paint affects its compostability? I’ve heard darker colors might have more additives.
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I’ve been curious about Eco Paints too! I haven’t tried composting them yet, but I did notice they have a pretty strong smell when you first apply them. Makes me wonder what’s in them that could affect the composting process. Maybe someone who’s tried it can shed some light on this?
I haven’t used Eco Paints, but I did try composting some leftover Auro paint. It took a while, but it did break down eventually. The key was making sure it was mixed well with a lot of organic material. I’d be interested to see how Eco Paints compare, especially since they’re marketed as being so eco-friendly.
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I’ve been using Eco Paints for my kids’ rooms and love the non-toxic aspect. As for composting, I haven’t tried it myself, but I did read somewhere that the type of pigment used can affect how well it breaks down. Maybe that’s something to consider when choosing paints for composting? Also, how do you think the climate affects the composting process? I live in a pretty humid area, and I wonder if that speeds things up.
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