Plastic Pollution Advocacy: The Vinyl Institute’s Commitment to a Circular Economy and Sustainable Solutions

Sub: Advancing a Global Plastics Agreement to Eliminate Plastic Pollution

The Vinyl Institute (VI) supports the development of a robust and effective global plastics agreement that fosters a circular economy for all plastics, aiming to eliminate plastic pollution. VI has been accredited by UNEP since 2023 to participate as an observer in the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (UN INC) on Plastic Pollution. We advocate for scientifically sound, versatile, and implementable measures that address plastic waste using a holistic, “systems thinking”, approach which acknowledges the critical role that plastics have in making progress towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

Embracing Science-Based and Flexible Measures for Circularity

VI endorses an ambitious and practical approach to mitigating plastic pollution. The proposed international legally binding instrument should incorporate attainable, science-backed measures to ensure circularity, while remaining adaptable to accommodate varying national circumstances. We recognize the diversity in cultural and socioeconomic behaviors, production practices, waste management capacities, and environmental factors across member states. Therefore, we emphasize the necessity of flexibility to foster innovation and effective solutions.

In the spirit of UN SDG 17, VI welcomes the opportunity to participate in constructive dialogue with all stakeholders. By combining scientific evidence and practical expertise, this collaboration enhances the ability for policy makers to address plastic pollution.

Aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

VI supports policies that accelerate the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those involving plastic products. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production significantly contributes to several SDGs:

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): PVC ensures quality healthcare delivery by producing essential medical equipment, such as blood bags and tubing.
• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): PVC piping systems are crucial for water infrastructure, facilitating access to clean water and sanitation.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Durable, energy-efficient and low carbon PVC materials enable communities to benefit from resilient and sustainable infrastructure products such as pipe, electrical and communication cables, and many other critical construction applications.
• SDG 14 (Life Below Water): By promoting recycling and waste management, PVC protects marine ecosystems.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): VI fosters collaborative partnerships to advance vinyl sustainable practices across the industry.

VI opposes any language in the agreement that bans, restricts, or imposes discriminatory requirements on the primary production of polymers. Such measures could inadvertently hinder access to essential services, particularly in developing nations. Instead, we advocate for policies that incentivize innovation and support the transition to a truly circular economy.

Supporting Nationally Determined Action Plans

VI endorses the creation of independent national plans of action. We allow countries to tailor strategies that mitigate pollution effectively within their unique legal, economic, and societal contexts.

An all-in-one approach may disrupt existing effective systems and stifle innovation. Nationally determined commitments enable countries to set realistic targets for reducing plastic waste, increasing the use of recycled content, and prioritizing high-leakage applications with specific rates and timelines.

Prescriptive measures could lead to unintended consequences, such as:

• Healthcare Impacts: Removing PVC blood bags from hospitals could compromise patient care due to reduced blood storage capabilities.
• Agricultural Challenges: Replacing PVC irrigation systems with alternatives may increase costs and carbon emissions, affecting food security.
• Water Infrastructure Issues: Substituting PVC pipes with materials prone to corrosion could exacerbate water insecurity and infrastructure failures.
• Climate Goals Setbacks: Broad bans on polymers may hinder progress toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Promoting Transparency and Responsible Production

VI supports frameworks that enhance transparency in plastic products, particularly those prone to being discarded and not recovered. This includes provisions for:

• Recycled Content Disclosure: Encouraging supply chain transparency and safety communication in the recycled content of products to inform consumers and stakeholders.
• Mechanical Sorting and Recycling: Encouraging mechanical recycling processes for durable plastic goods designed with single polymers.
• Standards Compliance: Encouraging the use of polymers produced in accordance with consensus standards that promote supply chain transparency and corporate responsibility, such as the +Vantage Vinyl verification program.

Opposing Arbitrary Bans and Restrictions

VI cautions against the inclusion of lists that broadly ban or restrict polymers, ingredients, or products deemed “problematic” or “unnecessary.” Such classifications, without context-specific quantification of environmental impact, may lead to counterproductive outcomes. Instead, the focus should be on promoting sustainable production, consumption, collection, and waste management practices for all materials that are adaptable to varying national circumstances.

Advancing Vinyl Recycling and Circularity

PVC’s durability has helped the industry to practice robust circularity initiatives for decades. Approximately 70% of PVC resin produced in the United States is utilized in applications designed to perform for many years, such as piping and construction materials. These reliable products can be reclaimed and recycled at the end of their long service life into new applications, reducing the demand for virgin raw materials and mitigating environmental impact.

In the U.S. and Canada, over 1.1 billion pounds of vinyl materials are recycled annually. A 2019 industry survey indicated that this total figure included 142 million pounds of post-consumer (non-packaging) vinyl materials. The Vinyl Institute has set an ambitious goal to increase post-consumer PVC recycling to 160 million pounds by 2025.

To support this objective, VI launched the VIABILITY™ recycling grant program, providing up to $1 million annually over three years to fund projects that enhance post-consumer PVC recycling. These grants support initiatives such as equipment purchases, process investments, research and development, educational programs, and program management aimed at sustainable recycling of post-consumer vinyl products.

Conclusion

The Vinyl Institute remains committed to supporting a global plastics agreement that effectively eliminates plastic pollution. By maximizing the benefits of vinyl use, we aim to contribute to a sustainable future that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and addresses the complex challenges of plastic pollution.

More Vinyl Institute Resources:

• Critical uses of PVC applications needed to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• The U.S.A. PVC Recycling Efforts

Footnotes:

1. 2019 Tarnell Company Recyclers Survey for the Vinyl Institute (Amounts Sold)
2. 2019 Tarnell Company Recyclers Survey for the Vinyl Institute (Amounts Sold)