Changing take on PVC-U disposal

Industry figures suggest that in the UK, up to 300,000 end-of-life PVC-U window and door frames are disposed of in landfills every year. According to Merritt Plastics Ltd managing director Simon Readman, attitudes in the construction and recycling industries need to change if valuable resources are to be preserved.

He said: “Although there has been great progress in diverting frames from landfill, I feel underlying perceptions have to change if we are to maintain the momentum. Volumes of waste PVC-U are growing as more ‘early generation’ windows are replaced and the material should be regarded as a valuable and very recyclable resource, rather than rubbish to be uselessly thrown away.”

Merritt Plastics is a PVC recycler and high volume trade extrusion company, and processes up to 400 tonnes per month at its 5,560 m² (60,000 ft²) facility in Ilkeston, Derbyshire. It manufactures new plastic building products from old frames and post production off-cuts under one roof.

Merritt takes material collected at transfer stations, as well as direct from construction, demolition and window companies.