PVC Recycling: Setting the Record Straight

This is the year we put to bed all of the myths and misconceptions about PVC recycling and get down to business. 

After all, among all of the plastics in production, PVC is among the top three synthetic polymerics produced and used worldwide. 

It’s one of the most important and widely used plastic materials in the construction industry, and thanks to its versatility and durability, it shows up in many other areas of manufacturing, from medical devices to automotive interiors, from wire insulation to packaging, and beyond.

In short, it isn’t going anywhere. At the start of a new year, this reality is an important one to grasp. PVC is an indispensable asset to industries worldwide, and it takes PVC 450 years to biodegrade in landfills. It’s indispensable… so let’s stop dispensing it.

There’s too much at stake—for your organization and for the environment—to keep swallowing the misinformation around PVC recycling. Here are six common myths we’re out to debunk in the new year:

Myth 1: PVC Cannot Be Recycled

Fact: PVC can be recycled, and we do it every single day here at Return Polymers. It is the heartbeat of our business. 

Through mechanical and chemical processes, we’re able to take PVC scrap, like old vinyl windows, vinyl siding, PVC pipe, vinyl records, credit cards, blister packs, signage, fence, and more and recycle it into brand new, clean and durable materials that can go directly back into the supply chain.

We call it the Full-Circle PVC Recycling Program.

Myth 2: PVC Recycling Is Not Cost-Effective

Fact: Scaled recycling reduces costs, and benefits businesses through incentives.

Our Full-Circle PVC Recycling Program is designed to reduce collection costs, logistics, and processing by partnering with many different organizations that use PVC in their day-to-day business alongside the material recycling facilities that can’t afford to process PVC as part of the rest of their operations. 

When our forces combine… We're able to knock down the cost of PVC recycling to make it affordable and efficient for everyone involved.

Myth 3: Recycled PVC Is Inferior in Quality

Fact: Recycled PVC retains essential properties and meets industry standards. 

By its very nature, PVC is a robust and durable polymeric material. Because of this, PVC can be recycled over and over with minimal loss of its desirable properties.

Return Polymers has careful processing procedures and rigorous quality controls to make sure that the PVC we recycle meets or exceeds the industry standards required for various end uses.

Myth 4: PVC Recycling Produces Harmful Emissions

Fact: Modern technologies minimize emissions, making recycling safe and sustainable.

How is that possible? Well, there are two ways PVC is recycled, mechanically and chemically.

• Mechanical recycling (shredding, cleaning, re-melting) involves no combustion. The polymer is simply reformulated into new products, so there is little to no chance of generating dioxins or other hazardous emissions.

• Chemical or feedstock recycling converts PVC into its chemical constituents (such as hydrogen chloride, ethylene, or other hydrocarbons), but this process is done in closed-loop systems with advanced emission controls, ensuring safe handling of any byproducts (e.g., HCl) and preventing environmental releases.

Our teams also abide by strict policies to make sure our practices remain environmentally sound.

By using these and other up-to-date technologies, we’re able to reduce emissions and produce an environmentally sound and economically viable product.

Myth 5: There’s No Market for Recycled PVC

Fact: Demand for recycled PVC is growing across industries.

The recycled PVC market is big and growing. In 2023, the PVC recycling market was valued at $3.3 billion, and it’s projected to grow to $4.8 billion by 2028. That’s an 8% growth rate.Millennials and Gen Zers are increasingly environmentally conscious consumers who are drawn to products that are made from recycled materials. As these two generations begin to take on greater buying power, they will continue to drive the growth and demand for PVC recycling higher.

Myth 6: All PVC Waste is Mixed and Contaminated

Fact: Advanced sorting technologies ensure effective separation and reuse.

Just like PVC processing technology has come a long way, so has sorting technologies. 

At Return Polymers, we’re able to accept certain degrees of contamination, including moderate levels of burnt material, dirt, polymer cross-contamination, paint, adhesives, caulking, metal contamination, and others, contingent upon approval.

PVC Recycling Is Critical, for the Economy and the Environment

It’s plain to see that PVC recycling is important for the environment—it is a means to conserve natural resources, reduce landfill waste, and lower energy consumption.

But it also plays a vital role in advancing a circular economy. Through PVC recycling, we can keep PVC in use for as long as possible, extract the maximum value from it, and then recover or regenerate products at the end of their service life.

How You Can Support PVC Recycling

Well, there you have it—we’ve cleared the air of the myths surrounding PVC recycling. With all of that misinformation debunked, what’s your next step? How will you contribute to the effort to reduce PVC waste and expand the reach of recycling? 

• Educate yourself and your community. You can begin by simply sharing this article with others, whether they’re in the industry or not. The more people know and understand about PVC recycling, the more likely we’ll be able to divert more PVC from landfills.

• Partner with specialized recyclers. If your organization handles PVC at any stage of its life cycle, you can partner with Return Polymers to help move scrap back into production. Connect with our team to learn more about our Full-Circle PVC Recycling Program.

• Advocate for pro-recycling policies. Business leaders can make a big difference. If you have a voice in your company, you can push to implement recycling initiatives. And if you have a voice beyond your company, you can use it for good in the world.

• Invest in innovative recycling technologies. Organizations like Revinylize are fueling the future of PVC recycling. You can invest in those initiatives or benefit from grants to advance your own efforts.

We’ve got to keep moving forward with PVC recycling. It is a feasible and necessary cog that will drive the future of the planet and the global economy. You can help bust the myths surrounding PVC recycling. Take action today.