Tackling Microplastic Pollution from Paint at the Source

Tackling Microplastic Pollution from Paint at the Source

Professional painters can reduce paint-contaminated wastewater by changing what happens before, during and after brush cleaning. The practical priorities are to leave less paint on the brush, avoid an open running tap, keep wash water contained and follow the paint manufacturer’s and local authority’s handling instructions.

Why brush-washing water needs controlled handling

Water-based paint still contains solid paint material. Many modern paints use synthetic polymer binders, alongside pigments, preservatives, surfactants and other formulation-specific additives. When a brush is washed, some of that material moves into the wash water.

A Swedish Environmental Protection Agency report cites an estimate that private cleaning of painting tools may release around 240 tonnes of polymer material into Swedish wastewater each year. The report also notes uncertainty about how much of that material meets the study’s microplastics definition. For the broader scientific evidence and its limitations, read Paint and Ocean Microplastics: What the Evidence Shows.

The scale becomes clearer when daily cleaning is measured over time. Read our analysis of how much water conventional paint-brush cleaning can use.

1. Use as much paint as possible before cleaning

Work the remaining paint from the brush onto the intended surface. Before introducing water, remove excess paint in accordance with the paint label and manufacturer’s guidance. Less paint left on the brush means less paint entering the cleaning water.

2. Avoid cleaning under an open running tap

In Lavabrush comparative testing, cleaning one brush under running water used 15–30 litres. Actual tap use varies with flow rate, brush size, paint load and cleaning technique. A contained process gives the painter more control over both water consumption and the resulting wash water.

3. Use a contained professional brush-cleaning process

Lavabrush is a professional paint brush cleaner for brushes used with water-based paint. The cleaning water remains in the unit rather than flowing directly into an open drain.

One 1.5-litre fill cleans 7–15 brushes, with each brush taking around 30 seconds. Compared with the running-tap method used in Lavabrush testing, this represents up to 99% less water under the tested comparison. Results can vary according to the working conditions described above.

4. Handle used wash water according to the applicable rules

Containment does not make used wash water suitable for unrestricted disposal. Follow the paint label, safety data sheet and instructions from the relevant local waste authority. Requirements can differ by location, paint formulation and whether the waste comes from household or commercial activity.

For a fuller explanation, see Is It Safe to Wash Paint Brushes in the Sink?

5. Maintain brushes and cleaning equipment

Clean the equipment according to its operating guidance and inspect brushes before reuse. Consistent cleaning can help preserve brush performance, but brush life depends on the brush, paint, working conditions and how the tool is used and stored. Lavabrush does not make a universal brush-lifetime claim.

See the Lavabrush instructions for setup, cleaning, water changes and maintenance, or visit the professional paint brush cleaning FAQ.

A specific, measurable contribution

Paint-related microplastic releases occur through many routes, including wear, road markings, marine coatings, surface preparation and end-of-life handling. Brush washing is only one part of that wider picture.

Lavabrush addresses this specific step in the painting workflow: it reduces water use during brush cleaning and keeps paint-contaminated wash water contained for controlled handling. This is a defined contribution supported by measurable performance data—not a claim that the product prevents all paint pollution or has no environmental impact.

Sources and substantiation