Vinyl Institute of Canada

Published purpose

The Project aims to pilot a PVC window recycling program to reduce GHG and other environmental impacts, conserve resources, and promote the circular economy within the construction industry. PVC windows are a significant source of embodied carbon emissions due to the embodied carbon in the glass and the PVC. The manufacture of PVC is highly carbon intensive, resulting in substantial carbon emissions per kg of product. Currently, post-consumer PVC window profiles are not being recycled and are sent to landfills. Developing an alternative approach that allows for the recycling of end-of-life PVC windows will reduce the need for landfilling, reduce emissions associated with all window components, and reduce plastic waste. Key challenges include demonstrating effective PVC recycling processes and determining the extent to which PVC can be recovered and reused in new windows. This project serves as a model for contributing to a lower carbon and more sustainable future.