The members of the European PVC industry who are part of the Vinyl 2010 initiative provide purchasers with PVC products and applications that are always more sustainable (in terms of safe formulations, resource savings, energy efficiency, and collection and recycling schemes) and in line with the environmental criteria of the EU Public Procurement standards.

'The vinyl industry can be proud that it has taken the initiative to respond to the social demand for a more sustainable future through the development of a voluntary commitment. In terms of end-of-life waste management and the development of innovative, less environmentally impacting technologies, it is the desire of the PVC industry to take a proactive and open approach to meeting the increasing demands of society whilst finding solutions to reduce its environmental footprint.' Michael Kundel, Vinyl 2010 Board Member and Executive Board Member responsible for Sales & Marketing at Renolit AG.

As a matter of fact, the European Union has already come to recognise the contribution that the Voluntary Commitment of the PVC industry can bring to public tenders. The ' Windows background report' (May 2009), prepared to develop the next set of green procurement guidelines, specifically mentions the work of Vinyl 2010 and its progress achieved so far.

  'Evaluation of criteria that account for end-of-life management has brought plastics, and PVC in particular, back to a centre-stage position as a responsible option for public procurement. Vinyl 2010 can help purchasing managers in the selection of PVC products based not only on the end product but also on the manufacturer's commitment to sustainability.' Marco von Maltzan, CEO of Profine Group.

In 2007, the Vinyl Foundation was set up as an independent trust to collect funds from PVC converters that support post-consumer PVC recycling in Europe in the framework of Vinyl 2010 programme. All the converters that voluntarily contribute to the Vinyl Foundation are mentioned in a specific positive list.

If purchasers of PVC products are able to recognise that not all suppliers are engaged in end-of-life PVC recycling and PVC sustainability as of yet, extra pressure will be put on companies who are still hesitant to joining the scheme. Complete details of its recycling programme are regularly published on the Foundation's website www.vinylfoundation.org, as well as a list of all of the companies who have contributed towards the scheme.

Resources

Buying green! A handbook on environmental public procurement. EU Commission

Collection of statistical information on Green Public Procurement in the EU. PricewaterhouseCoopers

A global guide to green procurement.  European Environment Agency (EEA)

Guidelines on Sustainable Consumption. United Nations (UN)

Cities as responsible purchasers in Europe - CARPE. Eurocities

Greener Public Purchasing. OECD

Organisations

Local Governments for Sustainability: ICLEI is an international association of local governments and national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development.

Association of Cities and Regions for Recycling and sustainable Resource management: ACR+ promotes sustainable consumption of resources and management of waste through prevention at source, reuse and recycling.

International Green Purchasing Network: IGPN Promotes green purchasing around the globe towards sustainable consumption and production.

Energie-Cités:The association of European local authorities promoting local sustainable energy policies.

Environmentally and Socially Responsible Procurement Working Group: This discussion forum has been created by the multilateral development banks (MDBs) the United Nations (UN) organisations and several other international bodies.