The Executive’s Daily Green Briefing

October 26, 2007

Pittsburgh Targets Green Consumers With New Paint Hues

pittsburgh-targets-green-3989.jpgPittsburgh 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.

SPONSORED LINKS

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.

Today's News

Portugal Points The Way For Renewable Energy Adoption

Portugal Points The Way For Renewable Energy Adoption

As the world reels at the high price of fossil fuels, business and governments are increasingly casting about for renewable energy models.  ... continue »

Raw Sourcing: Glass, Plastic or Aluminum?
Environmental Supply Chain Planning – Expanding Accountability
Green Communications: 3 Strategies For Getting Past The Crunch
Beyond Tele-Conferencing: How the IT Sector Can Become a Legitimate Climate Solutions Provider
Green Govt Initiatives Grow, Implementation Lags

Green Govt Initiatives Grow, Implementation Lags

Green government is viewed as an important federal initiative by managers, ranking ahead of efforts related to performance improvement and IT security ...

click to view full size chart »

Automakers Fall Behind On EU CO2 Targets
Shippers Make Changes To Counter Higher Fuel Prices
California Businesses Campaign Against AB32
Workings Of China’s Solar Wall Discussed

Workings Of China’s Solar Wall Discussed

One of Beijing's new additions is the GreenPix Zero Energy media wall, the largest solar powered LED display in the world, ScribeMedia ...

click to view video »

Organic to Go CEO Discusses Green Economy
Pitney Bowes On Design Of Eco-Friendly Products
“Virtual Water” Content Of Products Measured
The Bottom Line

Marketing

Workings Of China’s Solar Wall Discussed

Burnes’ Aims to Cut Waste 25% in 3 Years

Smart Companies Stay Ahead Of Green Trends

Emissions

Xcel to Disclose Climate Risks

World Bank: CDM Slow and Expensive

12 States Sue EPA Over Refinery Emissions

Hi-Tech

Uptime CEO: Low PUE Numbers ‘Scientifically Meaningless’

Environmental Supply Chain Planning – Expanding Accountability

Fairchild Semiconductor Expands ‘Green’ Effort with Global Team

Efficiency

USDA Awards $35M for Renewables and Energy Efficiency

Cray Unveils Energy Efficient Cooling Tech

Wal-Mart Canada Stores to Cut Energy Use 30%

Manufacturing

ExxonMobil Says New Tire Material Increases Fuel Efficiency

Borealis and Uponor Study Water Footprint Of Plastics Industry

“Virtual Water” Content Of Products Measured

Carbon Offsets/RECs

Tacoma Power Buys $15M in RECs

Constellation NewEnergy Supplies US Open With RECs

ConAgra Buys RECs, Joins Climate Leaders

CSR Reports

Coke Rolled Out ‘Green’ Coolers At Olympics

IBM Launches Eco Data Center in Second Life

Most Companies Skip Getting CSR Reports Assured

Major Players

Microsoft Recycling Program Halves Redmond HQ’s Waste

Vestas Launches $100 Million Consumer Ad Campaign

Samsung Criticized for Lack of Recycling Programs

See All Topics »