How can we paint a greener future with The Aerosol Alliance? A sustainability movement from the graffiti-, street art and muralism scene
"Revolutionizing the graffiti, street art a muralism scene for a greener future"
Spray paint has long been the lifeblood of graffiti, breathing color into gray walls and abandoned alleyways, turning cities into open‑air galleries. Yet every vibrant mural hides an inconvenient truth: a can of spray paint is not harmless.
We are The Aerosol Alliance, a non-profit founded by graffiti artists, curators, environmental specialists, and festival organizers. Our mission is to reduce the environmental and health impacts of spray paint while preserving the creative spark that fuels graffiti, street art, and mural culture.
Our Manifesto: actions speak louder than words
At the center of our work lies the Aerosol Alliance Manifesto, a digital petition that invites artists, manufacturers, curators, festival organizers, and recyclers to join our movement. We ask everyone to take responsibility for the full life cycle of spray paint, from sourcing raw materials to proper disposal.
We do not point fingers; we collaborate. We encourage artists to adopt greener practices, urge manufacturers to increase transparency and measure their environmental impact, and challenge recyclers to develop innovative methods for managing aerosol waste.
Join the movement
Hundreds of like‑minded individuals have already signed up, and our community continues to grow. By signing the Manifesto, any artist, curator, or concerned citizen can become an Ally in the fight for a cleaner, more sustainable spray‑paint industry.
We are also actively seeking volunteers and collaborators. Whether you want to get hands‑on or simply share ideas, we welcome you to help reshape the spray paint industry.
Why it matters
One spray paint can releases roughly 2.6 kg CO₂‑eq (The Aerosol Alliance, 2024). When multiplied worldwide, the impact becomes massive.
European production impact
Our own calculations estimate that the European spray‑paint sector emits about 738,400 tonnes CO₂‑eq per year, which is the equivalent of:
~ 60 billion smartphones charged, or
~ 33 billion cups of coffee drunk, or
~ 150 million T‑shirts made.
Avoiding those emissions would require 221 wind turbines running for an entire year (U.S. EPA, 2024).
Global recycling issues
Although iconic in art, spray cans are notoriously hard to recycle. In Europe and the United States, many facilities lack the technology to process and fully recycle aerosol waste. Additionally, poor consumer guidance further hampers proper disposal. Not to mention the reality in less technologically advanced regions, where recycling infrastructure is often absent, making this a global challenge.
Practical tips for change
We are not promoting an ideology; we are offering concrete actions. Here are four practical steps artists and all individuals using spray paint can take to shrink their environmental footprint:
- Dispose of cans responsibly – take empty cans to authorized waste treatment centers rather than discarding them in the wild.
- Choose a bucket or latex paint – it costs less, covers more surface area, and is easier on the planet.
- Try water‑based spray paints – they emit fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and use water as the solvent instead of fossil‑based chemicals.
- Use second‑hand paint – scour local hardware stores, thrift shops, or check your curbside on bulk‑waste collection days to find leftover paint.
Knowledge is power
One of our core goals is to raise awareness. We act as a bridge between artists and manufacturers, opening dialogue and demanding data transparency. We are building an inspiring platform of best practices and case studies so that artists can make more conscious choices.
Together we can keep the streets vibrant and the planet healthy.
- Join us by signing the Manifesto!
- Or help us out as a volunteer. Let’s reinvent the spray paint industry from the inside out.
- Stay updated on our latest work: follow us on Instagram and sign up for our Newsletter.
References
- The Aerosol Alliance (2024) LCA calculation, done with Ecochain Mobius.
- Ecochain (2024). Ecochain translator. https://translator.ecochain.com/
- United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2024). Greenhouse‑gas equivalencies calculator: Calculations and references (Section “Wind turbines”). https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator-calculations-and-references#wind
- European Environment Agency (2025). Methane, climate change, and air quality in Europe: exploring the connection
https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/publications/methane-climate-change-and-air-quality-in-europe-exploring-the-connections