Abstract: The present invention relates to environmentally conscious methods for the distribution and collection of recyclable paint containers, methods for environmentally conscious painting using recyclable paint and paint containers, and compositions for hardening paint for purposes of recycling paint and paint containers. A consumer can employ a paint hardener to harden unused paint, dispose the hardened paint at curbside, and return the empty paint container to a collection area at a business establishment. The paint hardened can be contained in an encapsulating layer which dissolves and releases the paint hardener into the paint. The business establishment can recycle the empty paint container into a new paint container.

Abstract: A tinting scheme for making low volatile organic solvent-containing waterborne paints is provided, the tinting scheme comprising: a plurality of tinting dosage units, each tinting dosage unit comprising a predetermined quantity of a water dispersible particulate tinter comprising a pigment or mixture of pigments in a water soluble envelope; one or more base paints whose volatile organic solvents content is less than about 150 g/l; such that in use the one or more tinting dosage units is added to the one or more base paints to produce a tinted paint whose volatile organic solvents content is less than about 150 g/l. Paint compositions and methods of tinting waterborne paints are also disclosed.