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PVC Recycling Initiative : Vinyl 2010

PVC recycling is one of major initiatives undertaken by the Vinyl2010 organisation.   The initiative is for the sustainable development of the PVC industry through recycling.

Vinyl 2010
Vinyl 2010 is a voluntary commitment of the PVC industry.  Comprising of  the majority of companies involved in the PVC industry within the European Union, the voluntary commitments primary goals are.

 

  • Respect for the Environment
  • Economic development
  • Social Progress

Set-up in 2000, the activities of the group cover all parts of the PVC life cycle from production and additives, to usage and waste collection, recycling initiatives and efficient recovery technologies.

Key Milestones of Vinyl 2010
Note: This is a 10 year commitment for full details see....www.vinyl2010.com
  2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Management Publication of 1st annual report in April Set-up of legal entity     Revision of objectives
Production   Compliance audit on VCM / suspension PVC charter Compliance deadline for Emulsion PVC Charter (Dec)    
Additives End of Cd stabilizers sales in the EU (March) Completion of Phthalates risk assessment (EU Process)   Completion of initial risk-assessment on lead stabilizers 15% reduction of use of lead stabilizers
Waste management Technical and feasibility studies        
Recycling targets   25% recycling of pipes and window profiles

25% recycling of roofing membranes

   50% recycling of pipes and windows profiles

50% recycling of roofing membranes
New technologies

R & D

 Development of solvent-based technology for cables and coated fabric (2002/2003)

Evaluation of the results of Linde gasification technology pilot plant (2002)

  
Respect for the environment
A sustainable society needs products that make best use of natural resources and provide durable, cost efficient usage and have low environment impact.  PVC already meets many of these requirements.    However there is always room to improve and the Vinyl2010 initiative primary goals is the recycling of PVC products.   The table above show the recycling objectives up to 2005.

There are two types of recycling

  • Mechanical Recycling : This type of recycling is concerned with take back schemes, sorting and searching collected materials.
  • Feedstock Recycling :The recycling of 'PVC rich' plastic waste such as PVC coated fabrics, automotive interior trim, cable harnesses, floorings and other composite structures.

Here is a list of the commitments from various sections of the PVC industry

  • The plastics pipe and fitting producers represented by TEPPFA commit to mechanically recycle at least 50% of the collectable available quantity of pipe and fittings waste by 2005
  • The windows frames sector represented by EPPA commits to mechanically recycle at least 50% of the collectable available quantity of pipe and fittings waste by 2005.
  • Feedstock recycling is a new technique developed for recycling of 'PVC rich' plastic waste.   The Vinyl 2010 have initiated multiple research and development projects into various recycling methods.
  • The flooring sector represented by EPFLOOR commits to recycle at least 50% of the collectable available quantity of PVC flooring waste by 2008.
  • The roofing membranes sector represented by ESWA commits to recycle at least 50% of the collectable available quantity of PVC roofing membranes  waste by 2005

For a complete list of these project and their status please visit  www.vinyl2010.com

Economic Development
The PVC Sector is an important part of Europe's socio-economic fabric.  More than 23,000 companies are directly involved in the PVC production chain in Western Europe.  Most of these are small and medium sized companies that support local economies.  PVC production and converting accounts for more than 530,000 jobs.  By funding research and development in advanced production and waste management technologies, Vinyl 2010 reinforces the industry's prospects.
Social Progress
Vinyl 2010 is committed to well being in the workplace. In conjunction with their partners they have set-up  regular consultations and co-operation with the European mine, Chemical and energy workers federation on workplace health, safety and training issues.