Environmental Performance

In recent years, society, through both sentiment and promulgated regulatory action, has grown more aware of the impact industry has upon the environment. Along with other businesses, paint and coatings companies are held increasingly responsible for the effect their processes and products have on the environment. Combined with the genuine concern of most companies, this has led to a slew of new initiatives on behalf of environmental improvement, as well as the continued development of more environmentally friendly products.

"Today, companies are held responsible to a much higher degree than in the past for the impact of production activities and possible side effects of their products," said Klaus Mathias, chairman of the safety, health and environment (SHE) operating group, CEPE.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), wastes generated at paint manufacturing facilities include equipment cleaning wastes, spills and area washdowns, off-specification paint, bags and packages, air emissions, filter cartridges, obsolete products and customer returns. In recent years, the paint and coatings industry has w