European PVC recycling initiative on track

The first year's results for the European VinylPlus 10 year PVC recycling initiative, which follows on from the successful Vinyl2010 sustainability initiative, suggest that the initiative is on track to achieve its stated goal set in 2011 for the recycling of 800,000 tonnes of PVC each year by 2020.

In its first year, the new initiative saw 257,084 tonnes of the material was recycled during 2011 Europe wide despite difficult market conditions and a decrease in PVC content in construction and demolition.

According to VinylPlus general manager Stefan Eingaertner: "The industry remains fully committed to the targets we have set and we are encouraged by progress made in the first year of the new programme in a very difficult economic climate. However, the need for cooperation is more important than ever in these times of austerity. Reaching our goals requires active support down the PVC value chain and a policy environment across Europe which continues to incentivise the diversion of waste from landfill and demand for recycled goods".

The results were announced at a European PVC value chain annual meeting on April 27, which discussed developments in the PVC market, including the growth of innovative and practical solutions that will improve the sustainability of PVC in the coming years.

The construction and related industries were identified as being a key source of PVC for recycling when the original Vinyl2010 initiative was established.