Harris Paints Receives Prestigious Sustainability Award at BCCI’s 200th Anniversary Gala

Where Quality Meets Environmental Excellence

Harris Paints proudly received the Sustainability Award from the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) at its Bicentennial Awards Gala on September 20th, 2025. This honour recognizes not only our environmental initiatives but our belief that true sustainability begins with quality—products that last longer, perform better, and reduce waste at the source.

A Legacy of Environmental Innovation

Harris Paints’ leadership in sustainability runs deep. In the 1980s and 1990s, we led the regional shift toward water-based technology, producing some of the Caribbean’s first water-based varnishes and floor paint, reducing dependence on solvent-based products that are harsher on the environment.

Building on this foundation, we developed an extensive range of low and ultra-low VOC paints accredited by Green Wise and Green Wise Gold—among the most respected environmental standards in North America. The Sierra Club has endorsed Green Wise Gold-certified products, including the Ultima Plus Pure line, as some of the “greenest” paint options available. These products meet strict VOC limits and pass the rigorous California 01350 Small Chamber Emissions Test for indoor air quality, supporting healthier spaces and LEED certification standards.

Most recently, Harris Paints discontinued production of nitrocellulose wood lacquer to further reduce environmental impact.

Quality is also central to environmental responsibility at Harris Paints. Six of our products appear on the global Approved Product List of the Master Painters Institute (MPI)—the leading North American benchmarking authority for coatings performance standards, trusted by governments, architects, and building professionals worldwide.

In April 2025, we were honoured to receive the MPI Commitment Champion Award at the AMPP Annual Conference & Expo in Nashville, Tennessee. As the only company outside North America to earn this recognition, we are proud of our partnership, which underscores our dedication to meeting the highest global performance standards.

 Measurable Environmental Impact

Our sustainability efforts have delivered tangibleresults.

We have reduced production waste by 40% through wastewater recycling systems that protect our water resources; generated 1.6 million kWh of renewable energy from photovoltaic (PV) solar installations; and transitioned our vehicle fleet to electric, cutting annual CO₂ emissions by 4.6 metric tons.

To benchmark and improve sustainability performance, we have also enrolled in Eco Vadis, a global sustainability rating platform that evaluates how well a company integrates environmental, social and ethical practices across business operations ensuring transparency and continuous progress.

Investing in Community and Research

Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our operations to include meaningful community involvement and social impact. We established the Robert L. Jones Environmental Grant with CERMES/UWI, through which Harris Paints jointly contributes, together with Chairman Robert Jones, $40,000 annually to fund Caribbean environmental research as part of our support of the scientific foundation for regional environmental protection.

Additional community initiatives include our sponsorship of the restoration of the Barbados Diabetes Foundation and a pilot program launched in Haynesville, which sought to implement cool roof technology in vulnerable communities and for our 50th Anniversary, we were thrilled to create and restore 50 road tennis courts across Barbados, celebrating national heritage while providing recreational spaces for communities.

Our Path Forward

The BCCI Sustainability Award acknowledges both our past achievements and our ongoing commitment to environmental leadership.  As Barbados and the Caribbean face mounting environmental challenges, we continue demonstrating that business success, product excellence and environmental responsibility work together harmoniously. When quality becomes the standard, sustainability naturally follows - creating products that protect not just buildings, but the planet for generations to come.