In Australia, about 16 per cent of total plastics consumption is recycled [Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association (PACIA) 2007].
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A high percentage of Australians have access to kerbside recycling of plastics packaging, where waste is collected, sorted according to type and, ultimately, processed into new products either in Australia or overseas.
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Less PVC than other more common packaging plastics such as PET or HDPE is recovered because more than 90 per cent of PVC resin manufactured every year, is used in durable products. PVC products such as pipe last 100 years so the material is not currently entering the waste stream. Relatively little PVC is used today for packaging.
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Highly durable PVC products (more than 15 year life) include building materials such as window frames, water distribution and drainage pipes, floor coverings and electrical cable insulation. About ten per cent of PVC resin consumed is used in products which remain in use for between 2 and 15 years. Car parts and furniture are examples.
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Less than five per cent of PVC resin consumed is used to make products which last for less than two years. Single-use products, such as medical equipment, are included in this category. PVC packaging materials have a short life and most frequently end up as household refuse. PVC bottles and containers are included in most kerbside collection schemes in Australia.
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Under the PVC industry’s Product Stewardship Program Signatories in the industry have committed to consider whole-of-life management of their products and to address waste and recycling issues. Specific commitments include:
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- Signatories in the packaging sector in Australia sign the National Packaging Covenant (NPC). NPC is a voluntary initiative by government and industry, which aims to reduce the environmental effects of all packaging. View more about National Packaging Covenant.
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- The Vinyl Council, on behalf of the Signatories investigate the current status of PVC waste generation, recovery and recycling. This has included commissioning a National PVC Waste Audit, conducted by Nolan ITU in 2005, to understand and gather data on the amount of PVC waste entering the waste stream in Australia annually. In 2008-09, further research was commissioned to gather data on the volume of PVC waste recovered and recycled in Australia.
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- Recognising that PVC product manufacturers are often distanced in time from the final user of the product because of the product’s long life. Signatories therefore agree to provide end consumers with information on appropriate end-of-life options for their products via their websites or marketing literature.
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- Signatories commit to adopt life cycle thinking in the development of new products, in particular, considering end-of-life aspects.
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