The UK’s largest trade body for the painting and decorating sector has featured a London painter in a case study about efforts to drive down waste in the industry through the landmark Paint Green scheme.
The Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) launched Paint Green as a ‘first steps to sustainability’ initiative in 2023 and Jessica Walters – a painter, decorator and restorer with a lifelong aversion to waste, signed up immediately.
Now, the PDA has created an online case study about Jess, and her business JW RESTORE LTD, highlighting the innovative ways she reduces waste and encourages clients to consider sustainability as part of her daily working life.
A specialist painter and decorator offering exterior restoration and paintwork for walls, windows, doors, railings and more, Jess is based in Islington and has a passion for recycling, upcycling and bicycling.
She said: “I can’t bear waste. I just can’t throw anything away. If there’s a possibility it could still be used for something, I’m saving it! So, when the PDA launched the Paint Green initiative, I was immediately on board.
“My incentive is to get restoration work locally so I can cycle or walk to work – I give an attractive discount to Islington clients, so I don’t have to make daily journeys in the car.
“It’s a win-win for me and my clients – I’m never late, fuel costs are kept low, no parking fees or parking tickets! And my mental health is positive – I’m happier and healthier.
“Yes, I lose a bit on my financial profit, but I get to work in my neighbourhood, word of mouth spreads making me busy, and clients love that I’m local as it builds trust. It also allows me to reduce my carbon footprint while supporting a more sustainable, community-based way of working.”
Each year around 50 million litres of decorative paint ends up in landfill, and PDA’s Paint Green members are among those taking decisive steps to reduce this figure year on year by reducing, reusing or recycling and are able to display the special Paint Green logo to demonstrate their efforts.
Jess added: “The majority of my work is external and there are certain colours, like black for downpipes or white for mouldings and door surrounds, which are extremely popular.
“Instead of charging the client the price of a full tin and leaving them with a half full one that will sit there going rusty in a cupboard, I charge them for the amount I use and leave a small jar or pot with just enough for touch-ups.”
Jessica is also a member of the Archway Upcycle Group (AUG), a volunteer-led community initiative that offers free space to upcycle and encourages people to repurpose discarded items into functional and artistic products.
PDA Chief Executive Neil Ogilvie said: “Our Paint Green initiative is designed to allow painting and decorating businesses of all sizes, from sole traders to large contractors, to adapt their working practices and help drive down waste.
“Jessica is an inspiring example of someone who is embedding that ethos into her daily life and we were delighted that she has agreed to share her story in an online case study for PDA’s Paint Green.”
Jessica’s case study can be read in full at: https://paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Paint-Green-JW-RESTORE-LTD.pdf
