What is Rigid PVC?

The team at Return Polymers is dedicated to reducing the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills, but our facilities are equipped to handle specific types of plastics. Our facility processes rigid PVC as opposed to flexible PVC.

What Is Rigid PVC Used For?

Rigid PVC’s qualities are ideal for many different applications. It is a low-maintenance, strong, lightweight plastic that is often used in construction because of its resistance to acids, salts, bases, fats, alcohols, and many other substances. According to Intek Plastics, Rigid PVC is also popular because of its resistance against sunlight, chemicals, and oxidation from water.

PVC has almost entirely replaced cast iron plumbing and drainage. It is also commonly used for window frames and window sills, siding, trim, purge, pipes, conduit, PVC sheets, and more.

All of these forms of rigid PVC are recyclable at Return Polymers’ facilities.

When we collect rigid PVC scrap, we're able to collect it in many different forms, shapes and sizes. All the PVC scrap is then brought to our plant to be repurposed and given another 50+ years of life.

How Can I Tell the Difference between Rigid and Flexible PVC?

The reason we’re unable to recycle flexible PVC is because flexible PVC compounds have plasticizer added to them, which makes the PVC resin more flexible, like rubber. Some examples of flexible PVC include pool liners, garden hoses, medical tubing, and flooring.

Recycle Rigid PVC with Return Polymers

Rigid PVC is one of the most versatile and in-demand forms of plastic, but like all materials, there will come a day when this material needs to be disposed of somehow. Together, we can divert rigid PVC out of landfills and into a new lifecycle of sustainable materials. All you need to do is to request a bin, and we’ll take your rigid PVC from there. Request a bin from Return Polymers today, or let us know if you have any additional questions about how we work.