News  New Franklin Paint Company Case Study

In the past two decades, Franklin Paint has dramatically reduced the use of hazardous chemicals, including heavy metals, in its paint, and improved safety in the workplace. Franklin Paint has eliminated the use of xylene and methanol and reduced the use of three other TURA reportable substances below reporting thresholds, while increasing overall paint production. Annual use of approximately 100,000 pounds of lead compounds, 100,000 pounds of chromium compounds, 150,000 pounds of methanol, 50,000 pounds of xylene, and 500,000 pounds of toluene has been eliminated. The company was recently acquired by Larry Boise, a former TURA planner for Franklin Paint, and Steve Schultz, a former business and financial consultant. Both Boise, the president of the company, and Schultz told OTA that Franklin has taken these actions because toxics use reduction (TUR) is the “right thing to do.”