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PVC Recycling: Its Importance for the Environment and the Economy

PVC recycling plays a crucial role in preserving the environment and developing a circular economy. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is one of the most widely used plastics in the world, present in a wide range of products, from packaging and pipes to shoe soles and window frames. The advantage of PVC compounds is that they are 100% recyclable, whether by physical, chemical or energy recycling methods. In this post, we will explore the different PVC recycling processes, their advantages and how they contribute to environmental sustainability.

Reciclagem de PVC
Recycling PVC is not only good for the environment, it is also a great business.

Mechanical Recycling: The Most Common Method

Mechanical recycling is the most common method for recycling PVC and involves transforming the material into new products through physical processes. This process begins with selective collection, where PVC products are separated from other recyclable materials. Once collected, PVC items are ground, washed and treated to remove impurities, and are then reprocessed into different forms, such as granules or powder. These recycled materials can be reused in the production of a variety of new products, such as electrical conduits, flooring, shoe soles, and benches.

Mechanical recycling is widely used in various industries due to its efficiency and the fact that the resulting products have a quality comparable to items made from virgin PVC. However, the success of this process depends on several factors, such as the organization of selective collection, the social impacts and costs involved, as well as the local ecological balance.

Success Stories in Mechanical Recycling

PVC recycling has yielded remarkable results in a variety of applications. For example, PVC packaging can be transformed into drainage pipes or textile fibers after undergoing appropriate treatment. Used PVC flooring is recycled to form the base layer of new products, and flexible PVC materials are converted into shoe soles. Used frames and pipes can also be reintroduced into their original production cycles. In addition, polymer blends with PVC are used in the production of screens and fences, demonstrating the versatility and reuse potential of this material.

Chemical Recycling: Innovation and Future Potential

While mechanical recycling is effective, it is not the ideal solution for all PVC waste, especially those that contain other materials such as electrical cables, tarpaulins, or mixtures with other plastics. This is where chemical recycling comes into play as a promising alternative. This process involves breaking down the polymer chains of PVC to return it to its basic raw materials, such as gases and oils.

During the chemical recycling process, the presence of PVC in the mixture can release chlorine in the form of hydrochloric acid, which can be separated and used to produce salts. This approach not only recovers PVC in a nearly pure state, but also allows other valuable chemical components to be recovered. Although still in the development and study stage, chemical recycling of PVC represents significant hope for dealing with more complex plastic waste that is difficult to recycle by mechanical methods.

The Vinyloop® Process: A Second Life for PVC

One of the most notable innovations in PVC recycling is the Vinyloop® process. This advanced technology solves one of the main challenges of PVC recycling: separating PVC from its additives and other materials. The Vinyloop® process is a closed system that uses a recyclable solvent to dissolve the PVC. After the material is ground, the PVC is separated, purified and dried, generating a minimal amount of waste, which is then properly treated.

Vinyloop® is an effective solution for recycling PVC compounds that would otherwise be difficult to process, ensuring that the material can be reused in new products with the same quality as virgin PVC. This process not only improves the efficiency of PVC recycling, but also contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing the need for new raw material extraction and minimizing waste.

Energy Recovery: The Limit of Recyclability

While mechanical and chemical recycling offer solutions for many types of PVC waste, not all materials can be recycled economically or efficiently. In cases where traditional recycling is not feasible, energy recovery has emerged as a useful alternative. This process involves incinerating PVC to generate energy by harnessing the material’s calorific value.

However, PVC incineration requires specific precautions due to the material’s chlorine content, which can generate hydrochloric acid during combustion. To mitigate this impact, the resulting gases need to be treated with advanced emission control technologies. Despite these challenges, energy recovery represents a viable complementary solution for treating PVC waste that cannot be recycled in other ways.

Economic and Environmental Benefits of PVC Recycling

PVC recycling is not only beneficial to the environment; it also represents a significant economic opportunity. By repurposing PVC into new products, industries can reduce their production costs and decrease their reliance on virgin raw materials, contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy. In addition, PVC recycling helps reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or the environment, reducing the environmental impact of this durable and long-lasting material.

Adopting PVC recycling practices can also create jobs and foster the development of innovative technologies. As industries invest in more efficient PVC recycling and recovery methods, new markets and business opportunities emerge, driving sustainable economic growth.

The Future of PVC Recycling

The future of PVC recycling depends on continued technological innovation and the commitment of industries and governments to promote sustainable practices. The evolution of methods such as chemical recycling and the Vinyloop® process promises to expand the possibilities for reusing PVC, even for more complex wastes. As these technologies advance, it is possible that PVC recycling will become even more efficient and affordable, allowing more materials to be recycled and less waste to be discharged into the environment.

Public awareness and encouragement of selective collection programs also play a key role in the success of PVC recycling. When consumers and businesses work together to ensure that PVC products are recycled properly, the positive impact on the environment and economy is amplified.

Check out other interesting facts about recycling clicking here.
Learn how to make art by recycling, Click here.

 

Ricardo Ricchini
Ricardo Ricchini
Articles: 198

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69 Comments

  1. Hello good morning, I work with material such as shoe soles, PVC and all PVC material, PET, aluminum, copper, metal, plastics and scrap iron. I need a buyer. My cell phone number is 11 9659 65026. Re: 3974 7173. I supply all over Brazil.

  8. I have a company that manufactures coaxial cables, which generates a lot of virgin PVC waste.

    I would like to know who buys this material, as I have about 800 kg, and I have no idea what to do.

    Thanks!

  9. I have about 900kg of PVC tarpaulin, the kind used in election propaganda. I need to sell them. Does anyone buy them? Or can you recommend one? My WhatsApp is 37 988444650. Thank you.

  13. I BUY WHITE RIGID PVC, ANY QUANTITY. IN POWDER OR GRANULATED. MY CONSUMPTION IS 50 TONS/MONTH. MY TELEPHONE NUMBER IS (035) 9 – 8858 7066. THANK YOU.

  14. I have about 200 tons of PVC tarpaulins and PVC upholstery (PVC C/POLYESTER). Who recycles this material? My number (92) 99399-8970 is live and 98411-7800 is clear.

  16. I buy flexible PVC in crystal, white and colored.
    Above 7000 tons crystal paid R$ 3.40
    Above 7000 tons colored paid R$ 1.9
    Above 7000 tons white paid R$ 2.10
    Note: only clean post-industrial material, we do grinding, sawing and granulation labor.
    11 4232-1339/1194773-4418/99826-1381
    ID 9*2250 Mauricio

    • Good morning Mauricio, do you have anything made of PVC FLEX for sale at a good price? Hardness 50/55 or recycled.. 11 959817147 WhatsApp

  21. Good morning, I work with straps for flip-flops and I buy flexible PVC hardness 50/55 and recycled flexible PVC with the same hardness. If anyone has a good price for this material, please get in touch. 11 959817147 tim / Whatsapp

    • Good evening David, how much do you pay for flexible PVC? I have 1 ton. Can I supply a fixed quantity per month? My phone number is DD 13 78083179 or WhatsApp is DD 13 991345437. Talk to Claudio.

  22. I have approximately 12 tons of flexible PVC in various colors, ground without any contamination because it was selected for grinding and there are also unground colors, black, blue, green and white, it is in Curitiba, contact by cell. 041 9950 4433 with watts

  25. Hello, I'm from Rio de Janeiro, I work with recycling and I buy PVC from other deposits and from collectors, I want to contact buyers of PVC and Styrofoam, in large quantities, from any state

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