The European PVC industry has just launched a new initiative called VinylPlus, a voluntary commitment that aims to enhance the sustainable production, and use of PVC by 2020.
Within Australia, The Vinyl Council of Australia is also striving for an open and transparent Product Stewardship Program.
Following the success of the Vinyl 2010 programme which revolutionised the PVC value chain in Europe from 2000 onto 2010, VinylPlus has an ambitious new set of targets for the future of sustainable development in Europe.
One of VinylPlus’ targets is to move towards greater “controlled-loop management” of PVC. This includes efficient use and control of all materials throughout their life cycle.
Image: Pearlazzo launched by commercial vinyl floor coverings manufacturer Polyflor
Building on the work already started under Vinyl 2010, VinylPlus aims to achieve a quantum leap in recycling rates and ensure that 800,000 tonnes of PVC are recycled on an annual basis by 2020.
Josef Ertl, Chairman of VinylPlus commented on the launch by stating, “VinylPlus is even more ambitious in its targets and scope than Vinyl 2010. The aim of the industry is to continue to contribute to Europe 2020 goals on sustainable growth through results-driven self-regulation.”
Developed with the input and guidance of The Natural Step (TNS), an international NGO at the forefront of research and dialogue on sustainable development, VinylPlus strives to be transparent and open with its communications with internal and external audiences.
The new commitment places significant emphasis on ongoing stakeholder dialogue as a means of ensuring that the industry’s efforts translate into concrete and far reaching benefits for society as a whole.
According to David Cook, TNS Executive Ambassador, “People making procurement decisions generally welcome the chance to make better choices and to see suppliers responding actively to their needs and the sustainability standards they are working towards.
“In this respect, Vinyl 2010 is a rare example of an industry managing to turn itself around through voluntary action. With VinylPlus the industry is now setting itself even more challenging targets to meet the needs of society and further improve the credentials and appeal of PVC as a material of choice for sustainable purchasing.”
In addition to maintaining a constructive dialogue with TNS, VinylPlus will continue to be monitored by an independent monitoring committee made up of representatives of the European Parliament, European Commission, trade unions, retailers and consumer organisations. As with Vinyl 2010, the industry will publish an independently verified and audited report outlining the progress made against each of the VinylPlus targets.
Within Australia, The Vinyl Council of Australia has also strived for an open and transparent Product Stewardship Program which also moulds itself after The Natural Step, where Karl-Henrik Robert stated, “There are no sustainable materials, just as there are no non-sustainable materials. There are only sustainable and non-sustainable management practices."
The program, which is also about to celebrate 10 years of success, will soon release its annual Product Stewardship Progress Report, which identifies key targets and goals set and achieved by the VCA and its Signatories in 2010.
The Vinyl Council of Australia is working to advance the sustainability of the vinyl (or PVC) industry in Australia. Its members are drawn across the supply chain of the vinyl industry.
