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Advancing sustainability and the circular economy together
EPPA is convinced that every processed PVC-U window profile must be reused in a new PVC-U window profile after it has been used. Ideally, therefore, all available PVC-U windows should be recycled. EPPA members have already committed to collecting, recycling and reprocessing 50% of the available PVC recyclate. The association is working towards this goal together with its partners Rewindo, VinylPlus and the national member associations and is currently promoting projects in Poland (OCNOREC) and France as a contribution to the circular economy. These three partners and their activities are briefly presented below.
Rewindo GmbH
Rewindo is the recycling initiative of German PVC-U profile manufacturers for removed PVC-U windows, roller shutters and doors. Window recycling depends on the co-operation of all those involved along the PVC-U window value chain. To this end, Rewindo GmbH works with service, information and communication and has become the industry brand for efficient recycling management. The growing quantities of recyclable recycled material obtained from dismantled PVC-U windows, roller shutters and doors are proof of this success.
Old PVC windows, roller shutters and doors contain valuable materials. The PVC they contain can be recycled up to nine times. And with the same quality, stability and weather resistance. Recyclable materials therefore create added value. Plastic window recycling means conserving resources and protecting the environment. Energy consumption and CO2 pollution are reduced. This recyclability makes ultra-modern PVC-U windows attractive and progressive in addition to their product benefits.
The Rewindo window recycling service ensures that old windows, roller shutters and doors are taken to the ultra-modern reprocessing plants of Rewindo recycling partners. Glass, metal and other materials are separated there. Pure PVC granulate is obtained from the processed PVC. This is used in the production of new window or building profiles. This closes the material cycle and opens up new perspectives for responsible economic activity.
The figures are as follows: The amount of energy saved through the use of recycled material compared to the use of primary PVC in the production of 1 tonne of window profile corresponds to 14,639 kWh and thus the annual electricity requirements of 4.5 households. Recycling results in a further saving of 954 kWh compared to incineration, which corresponds to around 30 % of the annual electricity requirements of a household. The use of one tonne of recyclate instead of one tonne of primary PVC saves approx. 2 tonnes of CO2.
"Rewindo sees itself as a service provider to the leading German window profile manufacturers for all issues relating to the recycling of PVC-U windows and as a driver of a functioning circular economy. (...)", says Michael Vetter, Managing Director of Rewindo GmbH.
Vinyl Plus®
VinylPlus® is the European PVC industry's voluntary commitment to sustainable development. The aim is to create a long-term sustainability framework for the PVC value chain throughout Europe. VinylPlus Germany currently brings together more than 60 member companies along the entire PVC value chain. The knowledge of many experts is pooled here and its exchange promoted. By constantly monitoring the media and legislation, VinylPlus Deutschland acts as a radar for the industry. As a reliable partner, VinylPlus Germany maintains an open dialogue with decision-makers from business, politics, the media and NGOs.
In line with the EU Green Deal and its regulations, such as the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the Circular Economy Action Plan, VinylPlus® is leading the European PVC industry towards a circular economy. The programme improves the sustainability of PVC products, promotes recycling and ensures the safe and sustainable use of recyclates. In 2022, for example, 813,266 tonnes of PVC waste were recycled as part of VinylPlus®. This corresponds to around 27% of the total PVC waste generated in the EU-27, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Source: VinylPlus®at a glance - the European PVC industry's commitment to sustainable development
The VinylPlus® product label is awarded following successful auditing and certification. It is suitable for declaring the sustainability performance of PVC products on a voluntary basis. High-performance and sustainable PVC products for the construction industry can now be reliably and easily recognised by customers and sales markets with this certificate. The VinylPlus Product Label was developed by VinylPlus in co-operation with the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and The Natural Step (TNS). The scheme is open to all VinylPlus partners and the PVC building products industry. Below are five reasons to apply for the VinylPlus Product Label:
1. highlight your sustainable PVC product solutions
2. increase your sales with sustainable PVC products
3. stand out and convince project planners and customers
4. help your customers recognise the sustainability of your PVC products
5. benefit from the communication around the label through VinylPlus
Help your customers recognise the sustainability of your PVC productsProfit from the communication around the label through VinylPlus "To qualify for the VinylPlus Product Label, the selected PVC products must meet a number of criteria, ranging from holistic corporate policy to product sustainability. Those who receive the label can count themselves among the leading suppliers of sustainable PVC solutions!", Vincent Stone, Technical Director of VinylPlus®.
Source: The VinylPlus® Product Label
EPPA projects
M/584 Standardisation mandate
The European Commission's standardisation mandate M/584 "Plastics Recycling and Recycled Plastics" is intended to create the system requirements for boosting the circularity of plastics with a package of 21 standardisation projects. This was a result of the Circular Plastics Alliance, which pledged to use ten million tonnes of recyclates in new products by 2025. Due to the extremely complex nature of the task, CEN/CENELEC set up the Circular Plastics Coordination Group and appointed Gerald Feigenbutz as Chairman. The second chairman is Gilles Dengler (AFNOR) and the secretary is AFNOR. Three meetings have now been held, at which the nine participating Technical Committees (TCs) report on the results of their work on the mandate. Horizontal topics that are of interest to all TCs are also dealt with. These are currently design-for-recycling, consistency of the standards packages along the value chain, alignment of the standards to the user (demand-driven standards) and ultimately the international dimension, i.e. coordination between the United Nations Environment Programme UNEP, ISO and CEN. EPPA has done the groundwork with its DfR guideline, which is why CEN/TC 249/WG 21, which deals with the standardisation of PVC window profiles, was selected to draw up the standard for the recycling-friendly design of PVC profiles in the construction industry. This pilot project by CEN and the EU Commission was presented as a manuscript to representatives of the Commission at an early stage last year. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive and the standard was recognised as having the potential to become a blueprint. This is because standardisation is becoming increasingly important as a regulatory alternative
OKNOREC - Recycling project in Poland with VinylPlus®
An old window recycling system is to be set up in Poland with the support of Rewindo. To this end, EPPA 2023 launched the OKNOREC project during the congress of the Association of Polish Window Manufacturers (POiD) in Poland. The project focuses on raising awareness and improving the recycling of old PVC profiles from windows, but also stands for window replacement as a measure to save energy. The aim is to establish a closed window cycle that maximises the use of recycled materials from dismantled windows. The Polish supplier industry for PVC window systems has committed itself to developing its own take-back networks to keep PVC from old windows in a closed loop.
EPPA received an award in the "Discovery of the Year" category from the Stolarka VIP publishing house for the OKNOREC project.
EPPA also supports Vinyl Plus and other partners and their projects in France. For example, EPPA works together with the UFNE and SNEP associations.
