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Do you have a huge pile of vinyl siding from a home renovation project that you don’t know what to do with?
It’s entirely understandable, and there’s no need to be embarrassed about it.
Vinyl siding is a long-lasting thermoplastic, implying that it is designed for recycling.
While PVC products are not recyclable in the traditional sense, there is always hope.
To encourage sustainability, firms all around the world are constantly changing their production methods.
People do not want to do business with a firm that is careless about the ecosystem.
Regardless of whether you’re a die-hard Go-Green fan, with so much competition for nearly every product imaginable, I’m convinced that your purchase will make you feel better if it benefits Natural Environment.
How is PVC Vinyl Recycleable
Ground and reformed vinyl goods are available.
It is critical to remember that there are considerable economic and environmental benefits to recycling PVC.
Because of PVC’s reformability, 99% of all vinyl created is useable.
Furthermore, about 18 million pounds of post-consumer vinyl are recycled yearly.
PVC has a lesser carbon footprint than lamb, metal, and cheese, according to the British Plastics Federation.
Who Wants Your Vinyl Siding?
The Vinyl Institute advocates for continual development in the vinyl sector from start to finish.
Furthermore, programs comparable to their Sustainability Council exist on a global scale, reaching out to all stakeholders.
You can easily find local recycling centers and other organizations that will gladly recycle your vinyl siding.
There will be, however, alternative options, such as Scrap, the world’s largest plastic recycling business.
If you hire a professional to complete your renovation, your old vinyl siding may be taken away for a reasonable fee.
Keep in mind, however, that this latter choice does not guarantee that the vinyl will be recycled.
It is your obligation to ensure that your old vinyl siding is properly recycled.
This Recycling Directory may be searched.
How Is It Recycled?
Mechanical and feedstock recycling are the two primary ways of recycling PVC.
The former does not affect the molecular chain, but the latter does.
Furthermore, mechanical recycling necessitates stringent sorting procedures, which begin with us as consumers.
Multiple waste streams, including unsorted plastic composites, can be handled via feedstock recycling techniques.
Mechanical Recycling
Mechanical recycling is a physical procedure to restructure the plastic waste; nevertheless, no changes are made to the stock polymer.
Plastic waste will be recycled by cutting, crushing, or cleaning into granulates, flakes, or pellets of appropriate quality for manufacture, which will then be melted to form the new product by extrusion.
The shredding process is sometimes referred to as a subtype of mechanical recycling that employs traditional technologies.
However, there are non-traditional approaches for PVC extraction that utilize solvent-based procedures.
PVC may be reformed numerous times utilizing mechanical engineering without causing any damage to its original structure.
Feedstock Recycling
This recycling approach necessitates a chemical procedure to break down the plastic trash into its constituent parts.
The primary processes employed are pyrolysis, hydrolysis, and heating The byproducts are then used to manufacture new PVC, to feed other chemical production processes, or as fuel for energy recovery.
According to PlasticsEurope, Energy Recovery is yet another viable option for plastic waste that “cannot be recovered in an eco-efficient manner.”
Biodegradable Vs. Non-Biodegradable
Examine Yourself! Vinyl siding is not biodegradable, which means it will not disintegrate organically.
As a result, improperly dumped vinyl siding has a harmful influence on both land and marine species.
Even if vinyl siding became biodegradable, the situation would not improve significantly.
This is due to the distinctions between biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and compostable items.
Compostable products decompose naturally in the environment, leaving no hazardous residues behind.
Biodegradable goods degrade in the natural environment, generally within a certain time frame.
Nonetheless, biodegradable items may emit poisons into the environment or leave microscopic physical remains.
In our rivers, plastic that does not decompose can damage birds, fish, and other sea creatures.
People and animals on land will be affected in the same way.
Recycling Checklist
Here’s a quick reference guide that covers some key factors to consider from the start of your vinyl siding removal until its recycling.
- Clear the space around your residence of any debris. Make your workstation successful.
- Rent a dumpster or set aside a safe location on your property to store the old vinyl siding.
- Using a vinyl siding removal tool, carefully separate your vinyl siding boards.
- Remove any foam, rubber, nails, or other things from your vinyl siding with care.
- Find and make contact with a vinyl siding recycling center in your region.
- Arrange for the delivery of your used vinyl siding to a PVC recycler in your area.
How Can I Recycle Old Vinyl Siding?
Vinyl siding is a fantastic product that many homeowners like to use in place of wood siding on their houses.
This is due to the fact that vinyl siding is simpler to maintain, does not decay, and is long-lasting.
According to the Vinyl Institute, recycled vinyl accounts for 60 to 70 percent of all vinyl goods.
If you’re removing old vinyl siding and want to recycle it, depending on where you live, you have a few options.
The majority of landfills take vinyl siding, which is subsequently recycled.
transported to a recycling plant.
However, there are services available to help you find recycling locations in your area.
- Remove all of your old sidings and remove it from any other materials that may be attached, such as foam, rubber, or nails.
- Find a vinyl recycling center in your region. Inquire about vinyl recycling facilities at your local landfill or disposal site. Typically, recycling businesses collect up vinyl at landfills, but you may also browse the Vinyl Institute website’s directory of recycling facilities and search state by state for suitable facilities.
- Arrange for the transportation of your vinyl siding to a recycling center. If you’re giving your siding, the recycling facility may arrange for free collection and delivery.
Conclusion
Recycling is one of the most effective environmental protection measures.
With all of the industrial waste, pollution, and other hazardous components created by human activity, it is the very least we can do to safeguard our environment.
If you’ve arrived at this page, it means you’re ready to part with some vinyl products, such as vinyl albums or vinyl siding.
We’ve included some recycling ideas that you might find useful.
These recommendations are both cost-effective and environmentally friendly
