The Executive’s Daily Green Briefing

October 26, 2007

Pittsburgh Targets Green Consumers With New Paint Hues

Pittsburgh Paints is launching a new line of paint hues. The EcoEcho color palettes, part of Pittsburgh Paints' The Voice of Color program, are designed to echo the growing interest in the ecological/environmental movement.Pittsburgh Paints is launching a new line of paint hues. The EcoEcho color palettes, part of Pittsburgh Paints’ The Voice of Color program, are designed to echo the growing interest in the ecological/environmental movement.

Eco-consciousness is being broadcast from every angle-spanning fashion, home decor, automobile design, even food trends, according to Josette Buisson, artistic director of Pittsburgh Paints. “From paint to cosmetics, jeans to kitchen flooring, our preference for greener options makes a statement about who we are, and our new way of life,” said Buisson.

Here are the company’s descriptions of the four emerging color trends within EcoEcho for 2008-2009:

Fair Trade - Warm, natural, organic colors comprise this trend that is deeply attached to a respect for nature and for fundamental human values. It jostles attitudes of ultra-consumerism as it restores esteem for the handmade and the carefully crafted. Fair Trade, reminiscent of the fashion colors of ’70s, epitomizes the necessity of socially responsible actions in design and sustainability.

EcoTechno - Basic core colors and essential neutrals achieve harmony when confronted with today’s technology. The colors symbolize balance between rigor and innovation-the grounding beige and white contrast the more assertive red, green and blue. Aligned with the concepts of simplicity and innovation, EcoTechno style is measured, well-balanced, and efficient-at home in a space equipped with intelligent products that have multiple functionalities and reduced energy consumption.

EcoLoco - Bold, beautiful pink, orange, and blue share the stage with acidic green in this trend born of freedom and new possibilities. EcoLoco stems from a strong belief in the capacity of the human mind to create change. This trend is audacious, humorous, and exuberant at heart, combining glamour and eccentricity and revisiting the classics with irreverence.

Vintage - Soft, nuanced colors lend a nostalgic charm to this trend inspired by authenticity and sensibility. It mixes personal memories, the noble patina of time, and a fascination with the beautiful objects of the past. Eschewing sharp contrasts, this quietly wintry palette captures colors touched by a gentle dusting of time-from pale, spidery blue to paper turned creamy-yellow with age.

Dee Schlotter, marketing communications manager for Pittsburgh Paints, told MediaPost that Pittsburgh will support the EcoEcho color trends - which are part of Pittsburgh Paints’ existing lines - through trade advertising, PR, the Voice of Color Web site, and in-store displays, as well as with two-ounce samples that will be available in January.

Pittsburgh Paints does offer Pure Performance Paints, an environmentally friendly paint line with zero VOCs.

ADVERTISERS

Join the Discussion

Comments

Our organization is working with PPG and other paint manufacturers to collect leftover paint from consumers. We are also promoting recycled paint. this new paint line says nothing about how Pittsburgh Paints “green” paint line is environmentally preferable. The color has nothing to do with it. The contents of the paint is what matters.

So, what is the content of the paint? Are they low/no VOC? This release doesn’t give any indication.

I wonder if they have a color called “green washing”. This paint is for consumers who want to join the trend of appearing environmentally friendly and has nothing to do with helping the environment. Approximately 34 million gallons of unwanted leftover paint is generated by consumers every year.If consumers want to really make environmentally preferrable paint choices they should seek out reblended or recycled paints such as Local Color paint made by the Chittenden Solid Waste Distrcit in Vermont, Metro Paint in Oregon or Kelly-Moore e-coat paint. It would be nice if manufacturers offered more recycled content latex paint instead of just using the environmental movement as a marketing tool with no environmental benefits behind the product.

Consumers Prefer ‘100% Natural’ Label Over ‘Organic’

Consumers Prefer ‘100% Natural’ Label Over ‘Organic’

In a study of consumer opinions of marketing claims, survey respondents identified most ...

click to view full size chart »

WWF Ranks US 7th Among G8 on Climate Scorecard
Growth of Global Carbon Emissions Cut in Half
Electricity, Heat, Transportation Cause 60% of Emissions

Today's News

Carbon Management IS Information Management

Carbon Management IS Information Management

For most organizations today, sophisticated carbon management is simply not possible. At best, ... continue »

The Hope Behind The Holes In The Climate Bill
Energy Costs Rising, Regulations Imminent - Are You Ready?
Energy - It Just Doesn’t Add Up
FTC on Greenwashing: Is That All There Is?
Shaklee Discusses its Green Strategies

Shaklee Discusses its Green Strategies

Shaklee Corp. was recognized recently ...

click to view video »

Sprint Tackles Data Center Improvements
Building a Bridge from Recycled Plastics
The Netherlands Ponders Floating City Architecture
Popular Topics

Marketing

Consumers Prefer ‘100% Natural’ Label Over ‘Organic’

Green Seal Adds First U.S. Standard for Personal Care Products

Show Sustainability Sales Success to Climb Corporate Ranks

Emissions

Cisco Wants to Transform Energy Demand and Use with Smart Buildings

Sony Europe Goes to 100% Renewable Energy

EPA Approves California Emissions Waiver

Hi-Tech

Sony Ericsson Joins Nokia, Samsung as ‘Greener’ Electronics Makers

Online Calculator Gauges IT Data Center Costs and Carbon Footprint

Microsoft Reduces Windows 7 Packaging

Efficiency

Black & Veatch HQ to Showcase Sustainability

Raytheon Meets Green Goals with IT Help

Yahoo! Dropping Carbon Offsets for Greener Data Centers

Manufacturing

Electronics Firms Face Off Against Mandated Recycling Programs

Leading Mobile Phone Makers Agree to Develop Universal Charger

Panasonic Cuts Manufacturing Emissions With Simulation Tech

Carbon Offsets/RECs

Sustainable Agriculture Requires Farm Modernization, Free Markets, Tech Adoption

Audi Promotes Clean Diesel via Facebook, Carbon Offsets

CBO: Cap-And-Trade to Cost $175 Per Household

CSR Reports

SAB Miller Targets 25% Reduction in Water Used in Brewing

Molson Coors Cuts CO2 Emissions by 12%

Successful Design in CSR Reporting, Part 2

Major Players

Fuel Cell Systems to Power 30% of Coca-Cola NY Facility

Australia Joins Carbon Reduction Label Scheme

CSX to Cut CO2 Emissions by 8%

See All Topics »