Sustainability vs. Responsibility

I read an interview with Yvon Chouinard the founder of Patagonia clothing recently and it got me thinking about the products I need to buy for the new house.  He was relating his view that the idea of sustainability in retail was not realistic.  That the shear act of consumerism is not sustainable but it could be approached as responsible. 

Currently a Bright Mango.

One of the first projects I plan to tackle on the new house is paint.  Particularly the bathroom and the kitchen.   Here are some before pictures but really the color is brighter than captured.  The day glow must go!

The kitchen is what I would call Lemon Yellow.

 Using the example of paint choices here is my thought process for the new house when I think about making a responsible purchase in the most sustainable way I can.  Considerations of product choice might include:  Cost, Selection, Quality, Sourced Locally / what is the carbon footprint,  is it locally or employee owned or owned by a corporation, new verses recycled content and VOC off gassing.

Choice 1:  I could go to the local large retailer and purchase paint. On the pro side I would be able to get the exact shade / color I want and have the lowest cost product cost, but probably travels the furthest to reach me, would have VOC off gassing in my home, no recycled content and might take multiple coats to cover. About $34 / gallon depending on color / brand but can be found on sale.


Choice 2:  Consider a paint from a local paint manufacturer such as Miller which is down the street from me here in the Portland, OR market.  Would have a low carbon foot print as it did not travel from a long distance to arrive at the store where I am purchasing, lots of color choice and color matching technology, one coat coverage product available,  options for no VOC off gassing for an additional fee, Miller is an employee owned company which I like, but still no recycled content.  $41 / gallon for Miller paint Acro Pure.

Choice 3:  Metro Paint is a recycling program that takes left over paint and processes it into a paint that can be purchased in 1 and 5 gallon containers.  Great use of raw resources because it is made made with recycled content,  minimal carbon footprint as it is sourced locally, best price, but limited color selection,  because it is batch made buying additional paint of the same color not possible, and VOC off gassing. $9-10 / gallon.


In these choices there are trade offs between each and every product, none of which are truly sustainable but which is the most responsible?  I have to ask myself am I more concerned with my personal air quality and having VOC off gassing in my personal home or am I more concerned with the environmental impact to my community as a whole by use of raw resources and the impact that transportation has on the environment, and what is the trade off of cost?  How do I earn the money to pay the difference in cost and what is the environmental impact of that? 

One thing I do know is that the walls are going to be white.  Thanks for reading.