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The record set for compliance under the Vinyl Council of Australia’s (VCA) PVC Stewardship Program (PSP) has again been broken in the 2021 reporting year, furthering the ongoing streak of sustainable development seen under the program since its inception in 2002. In the latest assessment of 2021 calendar year performance, 26 Signatories demonstrated full compliance with all relevant commitments aimed at furthering the safety and sustainability of the PVC industry in Australia.

“Over half of the current PSP Signatories achieved Excellence in Stewardship, a clear indication that the industry continues to strive for improvement, despite the recent COVID-related challenges,” says Vinyl Council of Australia Industry Sustainability Officer, Alexander Scott.

13 other companies achieved Silver status, ensuring that the key VCA milestone of 80% of Signatories achieving above 80% compliance was once again met. Further growth in scores was achieved by several Bronze Signatories as well, with the VCA hoping to see continued development in the upcoming year.

Continuing the trend from previous years, domestic PVC recyclate consumption by Signatories has once again increased, with over 1,657 tonnes of external recyclate consumed - a 17% increase from 2020 levels. For the first time, recyclate sold to non-Signatories was also measured, with a further 1,473 tonnes reported.

“This represents the continued commitment of the Australian PVC industry to embrace more circular practices and reduce their reliance on raw materials. Reporting on broader industry recyclate consumption also allows the VCA to gather a greater understanding of the current desire for recycled content in local manufacturing,” continues Alexander.

As part of the drive of innovation in PVC recycling, the VCA and Specialised Textile Association’s National Product Stewardship Investment Fund-supported TexBack project has continued to progress. As part of the project, a Materials Flows Analysis on the consumption and waste volumes and locations of PVC-polyester textile products in Australia has been completed, while a world-first separation technology trial and business case and scheme design for a sustainable product stewardship scheme for these materials is currently in progress, with promising results thus far. The project is on track to be completed later this year.

PVC is a particularly versatile and durable polymer, providing safe, functional and affordable solutions across a wide array of vital applications, from delivering drinking water to life-saving medical devices. The PSP program addresses specific, measurable commitments across the life cycle of PVC, including raw materials, manufacturing, supply chains, additives, waste and recycling.

A key component of the program concerns the continued development of the PSP through updated benchmarks or the introduction of new commitments. The Vinyl Council and its Signatories are in strong discussions around the update of the Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Management commitment to better reflect the rapidly evolving expectations around renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions. In addition, updating requirements within Open Disclosure to include a greater focus on ‘chemicals of concern’ is also likely to be introduced for the next reporting period.

“We would like to congratulate our three newest Signatories, Dincel Construction Systems, IXOM Operations and Plascorp for all achieving at least Bronze status, with IXOM achieving Excellence a noteworthy achievement. We look forward to welcoming more Signatories to the program moving forward and witnessing the sustainable development all Signatories continue to undertake,” concludes Alexander.

Any company manufacturing or supplying PVC, or vinyl, products to the Australian market is welcome to participate in the PVC Stewardship Program. 

The 2021-22 Progress Report for the PVC Stewardship Program is now available on the Vinyl Council’s website. Forty-nine Signatories completed the annual assessment, 10 of which were independently verified by EY. A list of Signatories that achieved the Excellence in Stewardship Award (Gold Status) can be found on the Vinyl Council’s website: https://www.vinyl.org.au/signatories.

The start of 2022 has seen PVC recycling in healthcare expanding to more regional areas of Australia, including Albany in WA and Rockhampton in QLD, with more than 280 hospitals currently participating in the Vinyl Council of Australia’s initiated program.

Single-use plastics play a vital, life-saving role in healthcare, such as intravenous fluid bags, oxygen masks and tubing. Their ability to be recycled, through schemes like the PVC Recycling in Hospitals program, is diverting increasing volumes of this high-quality, medical grade material from landfill for recycling back into new, useful products. Since 2015, the program has recycled over 545 tonnes of these products – equivalent to over 27 million IV bags.

Despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic reducing elective surgery in most states and causing program suspensions in Tasmania, participation in the PVC Recycling in Hospitals program has grown nationally. The latest data shows that over the last two years, more than 60 hospitals Australia-wide have signed up.

Although 2021 waste collection volumes (119 tonnes) were slightly down on the 2020 figures (129 tonnes) due to pandemic disruption, the program continues to play an important role as life starts to return to normality.

Launched in 2013, the PVC Recycling in Hospitals Program collects and recycles non-infectious oxygen masks and tubing and Baxter IV fluid bags from theatres, recovery wards, intensive care units, dialysis and day procedure units. The recovered PVC is reused in a variety of new applications from garden hose to new gumboots.

Although 2021 volumes were down on the previous year due to the pandemic, the 119 tonnes collected were equivalent to 5.95 million IV fluid bags. The Vinyl Council, along with program partners Baxter Healthcare and recycler Welvic Australia, have a target for the program of the equivalent of 50 million IV bags recycled within Australia over a five-year period until 2025.

Reducing contamination and increasing collection at existing hospitals by ensuring the program is implemented correctly will be key focus areas in achieving this target. Separating PVC products from non-PVC products where the waste is generated leads to a higher volume of waste being diverted from landfill. It also produces a higher quality of PVC recyclate by minimising contamination from other materials.

Vinyl Council of Australia Chief Executive, Sophi MacMillan comments: “Our program is playing a leading role in lowering the amount of recyclable single-use plastic used in healthcare going into landfill, thereby reducing its environmental impact.

“We are delighted with the program’s progress, despite the challenging times. We thank everyone for their ongoing involvement and enthusiasm for the program.

“The sustained increase in hospital participation and collection efforts in recent months is encouraging. We hope that with rising participation the 50 million target remains in reach and recycling volumes increase back up to pre-Covid levels again throughout early to mid 2022.”

Since its launch, the Vinyl Council of Australia’s successful medical waste recycling program has inspired similar schemes in eight other countries, such as South Africa, Canada, the European VinylPlus PVCMed initiative and RecoMed in the UK. For more information contact 03 9510 1711, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or follow @VCAustralia.