Rural Action, a non-profit organization centered in Appalachian Ohio, was created in 1991 with the goal of bringing environmental change to rural Appalachian communities.
Finding a solution to tackle pollution in their rivers is one of the changes they are passionate about. To do this, the group established True Pigments, a social venture.
True Pigments has released a limited edition palette of oil paints called Reclaimed Earth Colors in partnership with Gambling Colors, a Portland-based paint manufacturer.
So, how is it feasible to make paint out of mining waste?
Simply put, the pigments for the paint are created from iron oxide, the toxic residue that is leaking from mines in the Appalachia region, and running into the water supply. This runoff pollution from mining is called Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). The toxic levels of heavy metals are released during rainfalls, when rainwater seeps into the underground mines, absorbing the metals, which then flow into rivers and streams.
In The Sunday Creek Watershed, a mostly rural area with several small communities and villages, sits the True Town Discharge, the largest AMD
As a result, non-toxic iron oxide settles to the bottom of the tank while lean water rises to the top. The iron oxide is dried into colors, and the clean water is returned to the river. The idea was then formed that these pigments could be turned into beautiful paints.
This is now a reality thanks to their work with gambling colors. Rust Red, Iron Violet, and Brown Ocher are the three colors of the paint set they made. The various colors are created by heating the iron oxide pigments to various temperatures. However, due to tremendous demand, the set quickly sold out.
Future objectives
Rural Action is in the midst of expanding their operations. In 2019 the group were awarded a $3.5 million dollar grant to design and build a full-scale AMD treatment and pigment production facility.
The new treatment plant has the capacity to treat 1.4 million gallons of water and produce over 5,000 lbs of pigment every day. They hope to have this facility up and running by 2023.
This plant will not only eliminate pollution in local rivers, but it will also create local jobs. One of True Pigments’ aims is to bring prosperity to an area that has struggled with poverty.
The iron oxide pigment industry is worth $335 million in the US. "Currently", the country imports the majority of its iron oxide pigments from China. True Pigments will produce 1% of iron oxide pigments once they open their first plant. These pigments are used in many other industries, including construction and concrete.
The social enterprise is planning to expand to other areas affected by AMD in the future. And to quote their website:
‘We will identify similar discharges and do it again. And again. And again.’
A non-profit organization in the United States is cleaning waterways by converting mining pollutants into domestic paint, paving the path for a shift in how we handle and think about waste.
A non-profit in the United States is cleaning waterways by transforming mining contaminants into household paint, paving the way for a change in how we handle and think about waste.
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