PVC and the environment

Have you ever stopped to think about how PVC can help the environment? In this article we will show you how Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), one of the most used polymers in the world, can be sustainable for our planet.

An ally for the environment

Generally, PVC is made from salt and oil. Except in some regions of the world, where it is made without petroleum feedstock (replacing petroleum-derived hydrocarbon with hydrocarbon-derived feedstock). Therefore, it is less dependent on oil than other thermoplastics.

Another positive point of PVC is that it is very durable and efficient for various applications, helping the raw materials used in its manufacture to be exploited efficiently.

They are used in various applications, such as conduits and reservoir linings, which help in the safe and economical supply of drinking water and sanitation; PVC windows, life rafts; medical devices; packaging of medicines, preserving them; among many others.

But PVC's contribution to the world goes beyond its products. The PVC industry also works to boost sustainable development in its production chain.

The European PVC industry has adopted an approach to managing the product throughout its life cycle. In 2000, the PVC Industry Voluntary Commitment – Vinyl2010 was signed. The program lasted 10 years and established challenging sustainability goals to minimize the environmental impact of PVC production.

Vinil2010 also aimed to ensure the responsible use of additives, support collection and recycling schemes and encourage dialogue between all stakeholders.

PVC recycling

In Brazil, the rate of recycling of PVC has grown over time. Reusing the material, when well separated, can be done in a simple and less expensive way. The first stage is washing and drying, after this process the material is milled. Depending on the final application, plasticizers, stabilizers and others may be added. The final process is passing through an extruder or injector. A recycling It is a great way to reduce the use of natural resources, as one ton of plastic saves 130 kg of oil for the manufacture of new plastic products. Therefore, it is important to dispose of these plastic materials correctly.

PVC Zíper supports any incentive to preserve the environment.