The economic and environmental case for recycling PVC-U windows has been further supported by a new White Paper which shows the benefits of both post-industrial and post-consumer waste – but also including the potential BREEAM credits of putting aluminium and steel back into circulation.
The White Paper, produced by Eurocell and independently verified by Manchester Metropolitan University, highlights how significant sustainability savings can be achieved by using recycled waste materials on newly fabricated window frames and doors.
It also states that recycling one tonne of post-consumer PVC-U can save 2.056 tonne CO2 equivalent against the use of virgin PVC-U – equivalent to approximately two months worth of carbon emissions from the average person in the UK.
But it adds “Because of the metal credits, the savings are much greater for post-consumer waste when compared with the post-industrial waste as all the impacts become negative.
“For example, the GWP (Global Warming Potential) is reduced from 1910kg to -146kg CO2 eq./t PVC, thus saving in total 2056kg of CO2 eq. per tonne of PVC-U.”
Eurocell CEO Mark Kelly said: “The study’s conclusions clearly show the positive impact our strategic decision to use waste PVC-U to drive our recycling operations is having. Not only have we significantly cut the carbon emissions that result from our manufacturing processes, the use of recycled materials in our windows and doors enables housebuilders and consumers to make more informed and better environmental choices.
“For instance, housebuilders constructing 2,500 units will save around 627 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year by specifying Eurocell windows and cavity closures with recycled content over full virgin PVC-U windows.
He concluded: “It is vital that businesses play their part in helping to reverse the current climate emergency. We are now able to provide our customers, housebuilders, and homeowners with an accurate and verified carbon saving statistic associated with the reuse of waste materials in our manufacturing operations. This means they can specify and buy with confidence and know their choices are environmentally positive.”
Copies of The Environmental Impact of Using Post-Consumer PVC-U Waste to Create Today’s Windows and Doors are available via: https://www.eurocell.co.uk/pvc-u-trade/resource-hub/whitepapers
