What is PVC?

Polyvinyl chloride or ‘PVC’ is a member of the ethylene family of polymers. Made from salt (57 per cent) and oil/gas (43 per cent), it was first produced commercially in the late 1920s and is one of the largest commodity plastic. Most of its very numerous applications are for long life products.

What is the Voluntary Commitment?

The Voluntary Commitment of the European PVC industry is a 10-year sustainable development initiative involving the whole life-cycle of PVC, from production to post-consumer waste management. The Voluntary Commitment defines measurable targets and deadlines and operates through projects covering technology, research, collection and recycling of post-consumer PVC waste. The scope of these activities is very large and it is the first time in Europe that an entire industry chain, in close relation with Trade Unions represented by EMCEF, has taken such a step.

What is Vinyl 2010?

Vinyl 2010 is the legal entity set up to provide the organisational and financial infrastructure to manage and monitor the actions undertaken as part of the Voluntary Commitment. Since 2000, Vinyl 2010 has been progressing the PVC industry towards sustainability through a series of externally-audited targets.  The programme has also been recognised by stakeholders internationally and, since 2004, Vinyl 2010 has been a partnership registered with the Secretariat of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development.

What organisations are part of Vinyl 2010?

Vinyl 2010 groups together European vinyl resin manufacturers, plastic converters and producers of stabilisers and plasticisers. The four founding Associations are: the European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers (ECVM), the European Plastics Converters (EuPC), the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI) and the European Stabiliser Producers Association (ESPA).

What is Recovinyl?

Recovinyl is an organisation set up by Vinyl 2010 in 2005 to promote and quantify the collection and separation of PVC waste from the non-regulated post-consumer PVC waste streams. Its aim is to ensure a steady supply of post-consumer PVC waste for recycling in Europe. The non-regulated streams are those not covered by any existing specific waste legislation like Packaging, ELV (End of Life Vehicles) or WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directives.

How does Recovinyl promote the collection of PVC waste?

Recovinyl identifies existing waste recovery companies and recyclers in the market,  incentivises the declaration of audited collection/recycling volumes and provides subsidies to encourage the collection/sorti ng/recycling of PVC waste through accredited companies. The payments of incentive help to subsidise the additional sorting and logistics involved until commercially viable volume streams can be established. The incentive system aims as well to encourage the recycling of PVC products on an industrial scale.

Why has the Vinyl Foundation been set up?

The Vinyl Foundation is a not-for-profit, independently-managed trust set up by EuPC in 2007 in collaboration with Vinyl 2010. The Vinyl Foundation's purpose is to operate a mechanism for the more efficient collection of funding contributions from the PVC converting sector, including companies who are not members of trade associations.

Don’t the converters already pay into Vinyl 2010?

The PVC raw material producers contribute 70% of the cost of the Vinyl 2010 recycling schemes.  Spread across the PVC converting industry, the aim has always been to obtain the remaining 30% from the converters The Vinyl Foundation provides a mechanism to collect contributions requested from converters based on the actual volume of PVC resin consumed.  Thus, the contributions paid are equitably allocated across the market. The accountancy firm KPMG Fiduciaire has been appointed to operate a confidential ‘black box’ system, fully in line with EU competition law, and charged with overseeing the collection of funds on behalf of the Vinyl Foundation.

What is the difference between the Vinyl Foundation and Vinyl 2010?

The Vinyl Foundation is an independent funding mechanism to support Vinyl 2010.  Recycling and sustainability activities continue to be organised through Vinyl 2010.

What is expected of converters?

Converters are asked to make a contribution towards the cost of Vinyl2010’s recycling  initiative based on a small sum for each tonne of PVC resin they have purchased from the resin producers.  Companies receive payment requests from the Vinyl Foundation, which is administered through the auditing firm KPMG Fiduciaire.

What is the Role of Vinyl 2010 in Sustainable Development?

Vinyl 2010 advances the PVC industry and products toward sustainability by implementing the Voluntary Commitment. This is not just about targets and commitments. It necessitates a change of approach and understanding at all levels and across the three pillars of economic prosperity, environmental protection and social well being.

Why is PVC Important to Society?

PVC products make life safer and more comfortable. PVC is used in areas as diverse as construction, automotive, cabling, luxury goods and medical devices, to name just a few. Most PVC applications are long lasting – up to and over 60 years – and they make good use of raw materials and prevent unnecessary depletion. In Europe the industry includes more than 21,000 firms and provides some 500,000 jobs. It is also a dynamic sector that facilitates innovation and invention.

For further information about PVC, please visit www.pvc.org

For further information about the Vinyl Foundation, please visit www.vinylfoundation.org

For further information about Recovynil, please visit www.recovinyl.com