Choose paint, stain, oil and other finishing products that are recycled or natural

Choosing from the range of recycled paints and stains allows you to reduce resource use and save money. These products cost about a third of what traditional paint costs. Producing recycled paint and stain also requires less energy than producing new paint and stain.
Choose latex (water-based) paint over oil-based. Oil-based paint creates more air and water pollution and may even contaminate ecosystems if it is poorly managed at the end of life. The only time to consider an oil-based paint is for a job that demands extensive durability, such as outdoor projects.
ry natural paints and finishing products. The base of these products is derived from plants (such as flax or tung tree oil) or minerals (such as lime plaster). Choosing natural stains, oils or waxes to treat wood allows you to personalize your project. These options generally cost a little more, however, and they require some skill to apply.