British Plastics Federation Windows Group

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 About the Group

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO GO TO NEW WINDOWS GROUP WEBSITE

The Windows Group Mission Statement is: "To promote and safeguard its members by enabling the UK plastics windows industry to fulfill its business potential.  To contribute to society and the environment by promoting responsible and sustainable development of the plastics windows industry and the benefits of plastics materials and building products"
 
The BPF Windows Group represents the interests of all those involved in the PVC windows industry - these include raw material suppliers, additive suppliers, PVC window suppliers, fabricators and installers.
 
The group consists of: 
·         The Group Management Committee
·         The Windows and Doors Committee 
·         The Sales and Marketing Committee
·         The Conservatory Committee
·         The Vinyl 2010 Implementation Committee 

All of these committees meet at least four times annually. From time-to-time sub-groups or working parties are formed to discuss specific issues facing the industry.
 
Our activity covers the efficient manufacture of raw materials and products and the minimisation of plant emissions and waste.  We are also focused on the sustainable waste management of used products, the appropriate roles of re-use, recycling and energy-from-waste.  With the aim of minimising the quantities of used materials and products going to landfill. 
 
The PVC industry has invested millions of pounds to develop a sophisticated recycling service, bringing thousands of tonnes of ‘waste’ material back into use in a new generation of advanced energy efficient and sustainable products. Due to its structure and composition, PVC can be easily, mechanically recycled in order to obtain good quality recycling material. Careful and proper sorting is of crucial importance for the optimal recycling of PVC materials.
 
Importantly, this includes a capacity to recycle not just production off-cuts but also old PVC products, for example doors and PVC-U windows that have reached the natural end of their life cycle – closing the loop on the recycling process.
 
In 2006, the UK saw over 16,800 tonnes of post-consumer PVC product recycled. The 2007 figures – released at the PVC 2008 conference, Brighton – show that the UK recycled a total of 42,162 tonnes, showing an outstanding year-on-year increase. The UK leads the field under Recovinyl, in Europe. The indications are that the UK will continue the upward trend in post-consumer PVC recycling from 2008 and beyond, with over 42,700 tonnes recycled in 2008 alone - another year-on-year increase.
 
 

Why use PVC-U Windows?

 
BRE Green Guide
 
Desirable
 
    • PVC-U windows and doors are tough, durable and designed to give a long life in your home
    • PVC-U is low maintenance – just occasionally wipe it clean
    • PVC-U windows and doors look great in your home, with a variety of designs, colours and textures to match your property.
 
Energy Efficient
 
    • PVC-U windows offer one of the best ways of saving money on your constantly rising energy bills
    • They keep warmth in and drafts out
    • PVC-U windows meet all the latest requirements for thermal efficiency.
    • Please see The British Fenestration Ratings Council (www.bfrc.org) for a full list of A-Rated PVC-U Windows
 
Environmentally Sound
 
    • PVC used to make PVC-U windows and doors is made mainly from common salt
    • Recycling PVC-U windows and doors is simple
    • Low maintenance PVC-U windows and doors avoid environmental damage associated with cleaning chemicals, solvents and paints used by windows and doors made from other materials.
 
Recyclable
 
    • PVC is an excellent material for recycling
    • Recycled PVC can be used to make all kinds of useful new items such as park benches and construction products
    • A network of recyclers has been set up around the country to recycle PVC-U windows and doors at the end of their life
 

 

Current Project

The Windows Group has launched a new campaing entitled "PVC Aware" (www.pvcaware.org), aimed at raising awareness about not only PVC as a material, but also the venefits of PVC products, such as windows and cladding. The website, which is run is conjunction with www.bpfwindowsgroup.co.uk, looks to provide key factual messages to the consumer and to the building professional. Over the years, PVC has been the subject of much misinformation and incorrect information. All of the facts regarding PVC can be found on www.bpf.co.uk and also www.pvcaware.org.
 
PVC is one of the worlds most versatile and sustainable materials. PVC is found in virtually every walk of life. It is a material particularly suited to a variety of products:  windows, pipes, floor coverings and cables as well as having a growing number of applications in the field of medicine.  It is low in its use of resources.  Its production costs are moderate.  It has low maintenance requirements.

PVC, especially when used in such products as window and door frames, may be recycled in a closed loop with the recycled material being used again and again in new window frames and other building products.

This web site has been created to provide an objective source of information so that people may make a reasoned and balanced judgment about the value of PVC, and particularly about its environmental credentials

The Windows Group also has a RIBA Approved CPD available for Architects and Specifiers.

Useful Document for the Windows Group

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Download the Guide Here		 Guide to Sympathetic Replacement Design of WIndows


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