Vinyl 2010 Implementation Committee Achievements

As part of the PVC industry's continued drive towards sustainable development, this group oversees, monitors and reports on the PVC-U window sectors response to Vinyl 2010 - The Voluntary Committment of the PVC Industry.

The 10 years voluntary commitment came to an end in 2010 succeeding in meeting or exceeding the targets set by the industry in 2000.

Its tasks include:

• Being the platform for the achievements of the windows sector regarding the Voluntary Committment (VC)
• Ensuring the sector is adequately informed about its obligation under the VC and to stimulate a response
• Harmonising industry policy on VC issues
• Liaising with other BPF implementation groups
• Collating relevant data and chain deficit costs
• Reviewing stabiliser issues

The voluntary commitment has made possible the creation of means for the recycling of PVC-U windows in Europe and within the UK using the RecoVinyl scheme under the supervision on a European level by Vinyl 2010, the legal entity behind the VC.

The committee consists of appropriate representatives from raw material suppliers, system companies, recyclers and BPF staff, with others co-opted when necessary.

Some of the key achievements of Vinyl 2010 have been the recycling of 260,842 tonnes in 2010 of available post-consumer PVC waste from non-regulated waste streams, exceeding the 10-year target.

The Recovinyl scheme within the UK continues to develop, with recycling of PVC products, including PVC-U windows, reaching new and record levels with over 42,000 tonnes achieved in 2007 alone. PVC-U windows are easily recycled and the recyclate can also be used again within the window products or for other items.

Following the conclusion of the 10-year Voluntary Commitment of the PVC Industry, the Vinyl 2010 board has decided to move forward with another program due to be launched later in 2011. The new initiative will work on the achievements of Vinyl 2010 and the importance of a sustainable development and social responsibility.