Vinyl Sustainability
There are many attributes of vinyl that all work together to create more sustainable products across various applications. PVC is more durable than many other materials in construction, building, and infrastructure applications. This durability allows for a longer useful life than many alternatives, as well as reduced need for repairs, which helps cut down on greenhouse gas emissions throughout the full life cycle of the product.
PVC and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
PVC products also directly contribute to achieving numerous United Nations SDGs. Without PVC products, goals related to good health and wellbeing, clean drinking water, sustainable cities and communities, and responsible consumption would be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. To learn more about the ways PVC helps achieve UNSDGs, click here.
PVC and Circularity
The vinyl industry is also committed to growing and improving the circularity of our products. With help from the Vinyl Sustainability Council, the industry is working to transition from a traditional linear economy (make, use, dispose) to a circular one (make, use, recycle). Learn more about the circularity story for PVC here.
PVC and Life Cycle Assessment Improvements
The Vinyl Institute has worked with Sustainable Solutions Corporation to conduct and release life cycle assessments for the industry and VI members. When comparing the most recent LCA to the previous one in 2015, the findings show an industry improving its sustainability record across several metrics, including a 12% decrease in global warming potential. You can see the full findings and comparisons in the image below.
PVC and Recycling
To help this growing focus on circularity, the Vinyl Institute and its main members have worked diligently to grow its post-consumer recycling program, VIABILITY. A commitment of $3 million over 3 years, the program is designed to award critical funding to organizations actively working to increase the post-consumer recycling of vinyl. The program has had numerous success stories already, which you can see below.
Vinyl Recycling
More than 1.1 billion pounds (1) of vinyl materials are recycled annually in the U.S. and Canada. This total includes 142 million pounds of post-consumer (non-packaging) vinyl materials.
One way the Vinyl Institute team is helping to achieve this goal is to provide a database where consumers can research nearby recycling facilities that accept PVC. The VI has created a first-of-its-kind PVC recycling directory for the public to use, which has over 100 recyclers around the country. You can check that out here.
In 2020, the U.S. vinyl industry set an ambitious goal to recycle 160 million pounds of post-consumer PVC by 2025. New VIABILITY recycling grants help to achieve this goal by providing financial assistance to companies and organizations – up to $500,000 – in support of their post-consumer PVC recycling initiatives.
So far, the Vinyl Institute has awarded 21 organizations with funding to grow post-consumer vinyl recycling. Some of these programs have already started to show great success. Check out some highlights from this amazing grant program and learn how the Vinyl Institute is making a real difference in vinyl recycling.
(1): Nasr, Nabil, ed. Technology innovation for the circular economy: Recycling, remanufacturing, design, system analysis and logistics. John Wiley & Sons, 2024.
