You should inspect, clean and maintain application equipment regularly to ensure optimum performance. I guess the boss will get to take home a bigger bonus. The wasted paint is in the form of overspray and air emissions. Overspray most often has to be collected and disposed of as a hazardous waste. Air emissions contribute to poor indoor air quality.
Volatile emissions contribute to smog formation outdoors.
In most areas, companies must obtain special permits to emit volatile substances. The spray operator is the most important variable in obtaining good transfer and build efficiencies. Operator efficiency is a function of technique and gun setup. The second answer is correct. This effect is called Electrostatic Wrap.