Low Environmental Impact Recycled Paints Reduce Water and Energy Use, Lower Carbon Footprint

Mowilex Recycled paints have a carbon footprint that is reduced by up to 60%, offering premium quality at a substantially lower price than high-grade paints of equal formulation. Photo courtesy of PT Mowilex Indonesia.

The new Mowilex Recycled paints from PT Mowilex Indonesia (Mowilex) (Jakarta, Indonesia) reduce water use, save energy, and cut the carbon footprint of each new 2.5-liter (0.7-gal) pail of paint by up to 60%. By reusing up to 40% premium Mowilex paint in each container of Mowilex Recycled, the company also decreases potential waste without compromising quality. 

To make Mowilex Recycled, the company starts with its own premium out-of-production colors and used inventory that might be aged, dried, or in dented cans. Rather than disposing of these paints, Mowilex evaluates, treats, and repurposes them. The out-of-specification inventory gets reprocessed, creating new Mowilex Recycled paints that are manufactured to the same high standards as other Mowilex paint formulas. That means there is no difference in overall quality. 

The ready-mixed Mowilex product have low volatile organic compound (VOC) levels and come in eight popular pastel colors with a luxurious matte finish. The durable interior paints are also formulated for exterior use in areas not exposed to direct sunlight. 

Recycling paint lessens environmental impact and benefits communities. It also reduces the need for new raw materials and requires less energy for extraction and manufacturing. For example, by repurposing existing premium products for Mowilex Recycled, the company saves up to 8% clean water, by volume, for each gallon of recycled paint. 

Research shows that recycling one liter of paint saves an estimated 26 kWh of energy and keeps 14 kg (30.9 lbs) of CO2 out of the air. The overall carbon footprint of Mowilex Recycled is reduced by up to 60% compared to paint products equal in quality and formulation. 

By recapturing and reprocessing titanium dioxide and other components from unused paint inventory normally bound for waste disposal, the company minimizes the energy-intensive extraction and manufacturing of virgin raw materials. Incorporating treated existing products into Mowilex Recycled also reduces the disposal of unused premium paints. 

As Mowilex eliminates potential waste with the material efficiency-focused production approach, the company also supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12. SDG 12 encourages sustainable consumption and production. Its targets include preventing or minimizing hazardous waste generation as part of a cleaner, integrated approach to overall production, and reducing or eliminating the transboundary movements of hazardous waste. 

“Mowilex Recycled offers an option for customers high-quality products with a reduced carbon footprint,” says Niko Safavi, CEO of PT Mowilex Indonesia. “By extensively treating and reprocessing our premium, out-of-specification inventory, we keep it from being disposed of as waste.”

“Mowilex Recycled mees the same high standards as all new Mowilex paints, and we estimate that each 2.5-liter pail lowers emissions by up to 60% compared to a 2.5-liter pail of new, non-recycled paint,” continues Safavi. “Mowilex Recycled paints are also very attractively priced, so customers enjoy great value and premium quality while also lowering their environmental impact.” 

Source: PT Mowilex Indonesia, mowilex.com