Crown Paints is committed to improving the environmental credentials of its products.  Here some of the latest changes the company has made to ensure its coatings have minimal impact on the wider world.

Reducing Waste

• Recently established a partnership with WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) through which Crown Paints will receive funding to conduct trials into packaging recycling and re-use
• Installed water treatment plans at Darwen and Kingston upon Hull sites.  Residual effluent generated during the water treatment process is used for composting
• Paint which is unsuitable for sale due to damaged packaging is either reprocessed or donated to local community projects
• Rather than returning to distribution centres empty, delivery vehicles bring back waste waste packaging generated by the network of Crown Decorator Centres (CDCs) for processing in an on-site recycling centre
• Currently trialling scheme that enables customers to return empty packs and cans back to CDCs for recycling

Easy on Energy

• Completed comprehensive energy audits at all sites
• By making small changes its factories, offices and distribution centres, the company as a whole has used two thirds less gas, over a quarter less electricity and half the amount of steam compared to twelve months ago
• Crown Paints' transport partner, CEVA, has supported the company in reducing fuel consumption by using an innovative route planning system

Our Paints

• Voluntarily reduced constituents called alkylphenol ethoxylates (AEPOs) within its products
• Ensured all paints leaving manufacturing plants were compliant with the 2007 volatile organic compound (VOC) legislation ahead of schedule, and are on track to achieve the same ahead of the 2010 deadline
• Partnered with the University of Manchester and Best Foot Forward to monitor and decrease the company's carbon footprint

Crown in the community

• Established the Young Decorator of the Year competition over 25 years ago to celebrate good practice and improve the reputation of the painting and decorating industry
• Funded the construction of a new road between the motorway and factory site in Darwen to reduce traffic on the town's local roads
• Only contractors with a comprehensive site clean-up policy are invited to tender for a project
• As well as local initiatives, Crown Paints has partnerships with conservation organisations such as The Groundwork Trust.