Smart Circular Economy: Locally Grown Paint

From the concern of the family-owned business, RIGO Paints rethink how the paints are produced to reduce its ecological impact. Petrochemical and acrylic paints are widely known for its environmental harm from its manufacturing process that use significant energy and produce harmful waste. Paints common use also contribute to the air pollution and health problem. RIGO Paints come up with the idea of producing linseed oil-based paint that not only better for the environment but also last longer. The company also takes it to the next level by growing the flax and hemp seeds locally to reduce the energy use in transporting what usually are imported raw materials. the company make use of local wasteland and uncultivated ground as a place to grow the seeds. The initiative to strengthen the circular economy by producing sustainable paint in the same price point as other commercially available paint received full support by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Amsterdam Municipality. The locally grown paint not only contribute to lowering the carbon footprints of the industry but also opens up more opportunities for local employment in the region. 

Reference:

van Winden, W., Oskam, I., van den Buuse, D., Schrama, W., & van Dijck, E-J. (2016). Organising smart city projects: lessons from Amsterdam. Hogeschool van Amsterdam.

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