PVC-U UPVC and the Environment
The effects of PVC-U over the health and the environment have been broadly and carefully investigated, possibly more than any other products. Those studies encompassed all its stages, from the manufacture of the polymer to the manufacture and use of the products made from PVC-U.
Just like any other product or area in the chemical and petrochemical Industry, PVC-U is subject to investigations and regulations from national and international authorities, just like other polymers. The industry is continuously investigating how its activities affect the environment, and technological progress leads to ever growing improvements of manufacturing procedures and of the resulting products.
ECOLOGICAL BALANCE
The life Cycle analysis (LCA) is a scientific method employed to evaluate the impact of a material in the environment during its whole life in a determined application, from the acquisition of raw materials up to the moment in which the product is discarded. This way, it is possible to compare the environmental impacts of different materials (plastic, metal, glass, paper products etc) or of different systems used for the same purpose.
Because more than half of its density is salt (a nearly in exhaustible material), depends minimally on oil, is light and perfectly recyclable at the end of its useful life, the life Cycle Analysis of PVC-U is very positive compared to other materials. These analyses show that PVC-U is material that is environmentally adequate.
Due to the fact that it’s hardly present in urban residues (less than 1% of urban waste), the quantity of PVC-U in sanitary dump stations is minimal.
What is the PVC industry doing to improve sustainability?
The PVC industry in general, and the PVC-U windows industry in particular, appreciate that there are some concerns surrounding their products and its sustainability. Because of this, nearly 95% of the European PVC industry including Glass Tec Glass, has signed up to a Voluntary Commitment called Vinyl 2010.
With regards to end of life PVC-U windows, Vinyl 2010 sets out specific targets for the industry. The first was to phase-out the use of cadmium stabilisers by March 2001. The second is to recycle 50% of available, collectable post consumer windows by 2005.
The third is to phase-out the use of lead stabilisers by 215, with an interim target of a 30% reduction by 2010. Vinyl 2010 has the full support of the PVC industry, including the stabiliser producers (via ESPA), the plasticizer
Producers (via ECPI), the PVC
Producer (via ECVM) and the
Converters (via EuPC).
In order to support the industry’s efforts to meet the targets set out vinyl 2010, the European PVC Windows and Related Building Products Association (EPPA) has been formed, and the BPF (British Plastics Federation) of which Deceuninck profiles (Which Glass Tec use)are member. EPPA will be the driving force behind Vinyl 2010 on a European level, and within the UK the BPF Windows and Vinyls groups are looking to do the same.
