Polyvinyl chloride pellets, otherwise known as PVC pellets, play a crucial role in sustainable closed loop systems owing to PVC’s recyclability, exceptional durability and versatility.
When people think of the circular economy and plastic products, they often imagine single-use products that get discarded quickly and need to be recycled urgently. While single-use plastic recycling is important, the ability for long-lasting PVC products to be recycled back into PVC pellets for reuse in a closed loop system is also significant.
What Kinds of Products Can Be Recycled in a Closed Loop System?
There are many long-lasting PVC products out there, and most of them can be recycled back into PVC pellets, which can then be used to create new long-lasting PVC products once again.
Some of the products that fall into this category are gaskets, gumboots, hoses and tubing, and interlocking floor tiles, among others. These products are formulated to be used many times and designed to last a long time.
However, when they eventually reach the end of their useful life in their current form, they can be recycled back into PVC pellets and reintroduced to the manufacturing circuit for the creation of new, long-lasting products.
How a Closed Loop System Benefits the Environment
A closed loop system in the plastics manufacturing sector benefits the environment. By using recycled PVC pellets to craft new products, less reliance is placed on virgin materials, thereby reducing the amount of harm done to the environment.
PVC still requires some oil for formulation, even though it may not require as much as other polymers. By using recycled PVC pellets, less extraction of natural resources is required.
Using recycled PVC pellets is also critical to reducing the amount of non-biodegradable waste in landfills.
How a Closed Loop System Benefits the Economy
Aside from reducing waste and minimising the extraction and consumption of natural resources, a closed loop system also helps create new jobs and stimulate the economy.
Where before expired PVC products would simply be discarded, now a whole new line of jobs is available in collecting, sorting, and recycling PVC products back into pellets.
Recycled PVC pellets also tend to be cheaper than virgin pellets, lowering manufacturing costs and passing better prices onto end users.
IPC supports the use of polyvinyl chloride pellets in a sustainable closed loop system to minimise waste and stimulate economic growth. Contact us for more information on the wide range of PVC compounds and manufacturing services we offer.
