The Vinyl Council of Australia (VCA) and window-sealing experts Pro Clima’s collaborative windows installation workshops, held in both Sydney and Melbourne over the last two weeks, brought together close to 40 industry leaders from the uPVC windows sector across the two sessions.

Led by the Pro Clima team, the workshops firstly identified the current installation practices commonly experienced across the industry through collaborative discussion and workshopping activities with attendees, before examining learnings from window design and installation methods both domestically and internationally as a guide to exploring the importance of higher-performance installation and best-practice methods for uPVC windows in Australia.

The afternoon session included a live installation demonstration lead by the Pro Clima master carpenter who detailed industry best-practice techniques for the installation of uPVC window frames in a timber reveal. The workshops concluded with a robust discussion on key take-aways and learnings for the industry with attendees.

High-performance installation practices and weatherproofing of windows as they are fixed and sealed into building structures is one of the key determinants of the level of insulation, energy efficiency and watertightness in a building over time. The strong level of interest and discussion across both workshops was a testament to the commitment of uPVC window fabricators, installers and suppliers to work towards a recognised standard of windows installation in the industry.

We would like to thank the team at Pro Clima for their time and effort in leading the workshops, as well as hosting and providing catering for the Sydney session. We also thank the team at Windows For Life for hosting the Melbourne session, and Deceuninck Australia for providing catering.

We look forward to bringing the industry together for similar events, and invite any member who is interested in being involved in leading a workshop or session for the betterment of the industry to contact the VCA Office.

Just before we sign-off for 2022, we wanted to take the time to reflect on the year that has been and just some of the key achievements we reached throughout 2022. We’d like to once again thank our members, stakeholders and everyone involved with the Vinyl Council for their ongoing support and involvement – it wouldn’t be possible without you! Here are 10 of our biggest achievements from 2022:

1. Successfully held PVC AUS 2022

Following two years of postponement due to the pandemic, one of the clear highlights for 2022 was being able to bring the industry back together for our PVC AUS Shared Horizons conference on the Gold Coast in June. Over 150 delegates attended the two-day conference to hear from expert speakers and debate key industry-relevant topics including finding solutions for PVC circularity in a circular economy, transitioning to lower carbon PVC products, avoiding substances of high concern and taking uPVC window manufacturing to the next level, as well as enjoying a number of social networking activities. Check out a short video recap of the conference here.

2. Launched the VinylCycle Label for recycled PVC

In early 2022 we launched our new VinylCycle Label in collaboration with Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA), which aims to verify recycled PVC content claims and encourage uptake of recycled PVC design and product innovation. The VinylCycle Label builds on our PVC Stewardship commitment to encourage the use of recycled PVC in new products, and VinylCycle verification is available to both local and international applicants claiming at least 10% of the PVC compound (by weight) constitutes recycled PVC. If your business might be interested in applying for VinylCycle verification, get in touch with our office!

3. Oversaw another new record in PVC Stewardship compliance

2022 has once again seen a new record of 26 Signatories in the previous reporting period demonstrate full compliance with their applicable sustainability objectives as part of our voluntary PVC Stewardship Program, with 80% of Signatories overall achieving at least 80% compliance with the respective commitments. The full progress report from the last reporting period can be accessed by clicking here.

4. Passed 300 participating hospitals in our PVC Recycling in Hospitals scheme

During 2022 our joint PVC Recycling in Hospitals scheme, operated with program partners Baxter Healthcare and Welvic Australia, passed the significant milestone of 300 participating hospitals with over 320 currently signed-up. Despite some ongoing interruptions to collection and transportation logistics, the program recycled 119 tonnes of PVC medical waste in 2021, equivalent to almost 6 million IV fluid bags.

5. Updated our Best Environmental Practice product verification scheme

Following a lengthy consultation and review period with stakeholders through the second half of 2022, the VCA is in the process of updating its Best Environmental Practice (BEP) product verification scheme with an expected launch of BEP ‘2.0’ in early 2023. Updates to the scheme will include opening it up to complying PVC products across all applications, additional guidelines and a closer alignment to the VCA’s PVC Stewardship commitments to streamline reporting processes.

6. Continued to promote uPVC windows and Industry Code of Practice accreditation

The VCA has continued to explore and carry out numerous promotional opportunities for the uPVC windows sector through 2022, including the development of promotional brochures, project case studies with members, numerous feature articles and a short video on Industry Code of Practice (ICP) accreditation for uPVC profiles. User and content guidelines for a new uPVC Windows Instagram account have recently been accepted by the Windows Alliance Taskforce, with the account to be launched early next year. To continue to drive ongoing growth and collaboration across the sector we will also be holding some relevant events in early 2023, with planning for two windows installation workshops as well as a short course on window fire retardancy and behaviour well underway and further details to be circulated shortly.

7. Progressed the TexBack business case and scheme design

Following the completion of the Material Flows Analysis in the ongoing TexBack project during late 2021, testing of the project’s technology at the PVC Separation pilot plant continued into 2022 along with the development of the business case and stewardship scheme design. The final draft documents for the business case and scheme design have now been received, and the VCA has provided feedback to help inform the final report and implementation road map going forward. Two PVC Separation pilot plants are currently being prepared for imminent shipping to Europe and South Australia, with potential investors waiting to see proof of concept.

8. Farewelled long time CEO Sophi and welcomed new CEO Jim to the fold

During our PVC AUS conference dinner this year we farewelled and thanked long-time VCA CEO Sophi MacMillan, who left us to take up a new role as Project Manager at the Australian Resilient Flooring Association after an incredible 24 years with the VCA! Shortly after, we welcomed Jim Coulston as our new CEO, who joined us following an extensive career in the plastics industry through both commercial and technical roles across a range of sectors. While Sophi has no doubt left big shoes to fill, Jim has quickly brought his own expertise and passion to the role as he leads the VCA into a new chapter in its history.

9. Kept members and stakeholders informed of industry updates and developments

As well as our various in-person and virtual events and webinars throughout the year, as usual we ensured to keep members and industry stakeholders up to date on news, developments and information relevant to the industry. In addition to our monthly online Retro news round-ups, members were kept informed via regular email bulletins on relevant topics including recycling, chemicals of concern, news from the building and construction sector, legislative updates, funding and grant opportunities and more.

10. Continued building the Council’s social media presence

This year we gained over 250 new followers on our LinkedIn account from industry participants and stakeholders across the sector, which provides a far-reaching platform to continue promoting industry products, information and achievements to our followers and the broader public. If you’re not already, make sure to follow us on LinkedIn at Vinyl Council of Australia.

The Vinyl Council’s PVC Stewardship Program (PSP) represents an ongoing, voluntary undertaking by the Australian PVC industry to recognise and address relevant environmental, health and safety aspects within the lifecycle of PVC products. PSP Signatories from across the PVC value chain strive to meet a range of stringent commitments in the consumption and manufacturing of raw materials, safe and sustainable use of additives, energy efficiency & greenhouse gas management and resource efficiency.

The PSP was originally developed following a VCA-commissioned CSIRO review into the life cycle of PVC products and potential concerns during 2001, with the review’s initial findings along with extensive stakeholder consultation forming the basis for the program which was launched in 2002. In essence, the program aims to enable all parties involved in the life cycle of PVC, including raw material suppliers, product manufacturers and distributors, to play a role as joint stewards of the safe and beneficial production, use, re-use, and disposal of PVC products.

Now 20 years on, the PSP continues to be a key vehicle to help drive the circular economy for PVC in Australia, with over 50 Signatory companies signed up from across the PVC value chain including market-leaders in the industry. Over the years the program has had a direct impact in helping to inform industry members and stakeholders of best-practice methods and support continued innovation. Achievements include reduced Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM) emissions from manufacturing, phasing out lead and cadmium-based additives, improvements in recycling and waste management and avoidance of mercury in upstream processes.

With PSP Signatories required to report annually on their progress in reaching all relevant commitments in the program, results over recent years have continued to drive manufacturing standards to new heights as the PVC industry endeavours to meet increased societal expectations surrounding the environmental and social impacts of products and materials.  

Over 50% of Signatories achieved Excellence (full compliance) with PSP commitments in the latest reporting period, while eighty percent achieved at least 80% compliance with program commitments relevant to their business, marking the fourth year in a row that this key program milestone has been reached. Reflecting the industry’s ongoing focus on delivering a circular economy for PVC and avoidance of loss of valuable resources to landfill, one of the key achievements over recent years has been increasing PVC recyclate use, with over 1.6 million kilograms of recycled PVC used by Signatories in the local manufacture of new products in 2021, while a further 1.1 million kilograms of externally sourced recyclate was used in products imported by Signatories.

Over 5 million kilograms of recycled PVC has now been used by PSP Signatories in products since 2016, with recyclate use by Signatories tripling in the last five years alone as more companies look to source and use recyclate, improve circularity and reduce the carbon footprint of their products as part of the program’s resource efficiency commitments.

With leaders from all sectors of the PVC industry included in the list of current PSP Signatories, the program provides businesses from across the value chain with an opportunity to showcase their ongoing commitment to sustainability and implement the necessary frameworks to manufacture and supply PVC as safely as possible. Leading PVC compounder and extruder RBM Plastic Extrusions, a high-performing PSP Signatory since 2016, pinpoint their involvement in the program to the realisation that the market had moved towards a greener approach “with the only real way to move with that being to be part of the program”.

While the broader PVC industry is familiar with the continuous spotlight on meeting relevant sustainability benchmarks, as pressure from environmental and government organisations continues to intensify it has never been more important to demonstrate to customers and external stakeholders that your company is serious about its commitment to sustainable and safe manufacturing. If your business is interested in securing the future viability of your products, become a Signatory of the PVC Stewardship Program and take the next step. Get in touch with the VCA Office today or find out more by clicking here.

The Vinyl Council of Australia (VCA) welcomes the Federal Labor Government’s addition of plastics in healthcare products to the Minister’s product stewardship priority list for 2022-23, which was announced this week by Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek as part of National Recycling Week.

Along with other additions to the priority list of tyres and mattresses, the addition of plastics in healthcare products to the Minister’s stewardship priority list ensures that the makers and importers of these items must take responsibility for the impacts of the products on the environment across their entire life cycle. Going above and beyond simply recycling them, producers and importers of plastic products for healthcare will now have to consider how the development, design, manufacture, import, sale, use and recovery of these materials and products can be adjusted to improve environmental outcomes.

With PVC being the most commonly used plastic polymer across a wide range of applications in the healthcare industry the importance of implementing sound recycling and stewardship initiatives for medical PVC products has been recognised by the VCA for many years, and the addition of plastic healthcare products to the Minister’s priority list builds on the VCA’s existing PVC Recycling in Hospitals (PRIH) scheme which has been successfully running since 2009.

Collaboratively managed alongside program partners Baxter Healthcare and Welvic Australia, the PRIH program helps participating hospitals, medical centres and veterinary practices across Australia to recycle their used PVC medical products including IV fluid bags, tubing and masks, which are collected for re-use in a range of second-life, high-quality PVC products including hosing, mats and gumboots. Despite some logistical interruptions over the course of the pandemic the scheme has continued to expand over recent years to now include over 300 participating hospitals, with an amount of recycled PVC equivalent to over 10 million IV fluid bags collected nation-wide across 2020-21 as part of the program.

With participation numbers constantly growing and recent expansion into more rural areas, recovery rates of PVC in the program are expected to trend upwards as the scheme continues to act as a flagship program with the VCA sharing learnings to assist the adoption of similar PVC medical recycling schemes in Europe, the UK, South Africa, Canada and Thailand.

The VCA has also long-recognised the importance of a collaborative, whole-of-lifecycle approach to product stewardship, and the VCA’s voluntary PVC Stewardship Program (PSP) continues to drive industry standards with over 50 Program Signatories reporting annually on their progress in the safe and beneficial production, use and re-use of PVC products.

The VCA looks forward to supporting the Government’s focus on driving stewardship initiatives and solutions for all PVC items on the Minister’s priority list, to continue to help drive the transition towards national solutions and further innovation in the stewardship of PVC products.

The Vinyl Council of Australia (VCA) is holding final consultation and feedback for its updated Best Environmental Practice (BEP) 2.0 PVC product verification scheme, following extensive consultation with stakeholders.

Launched over a decade ago, the BEP scheme remains the most stringent criteria and guidelines for manufacturing PVC with participants required to meet conditions such as emissions targets below regulatory limits, voluntary restrictions on the use of certain additives and stewardship requirements for end of first use of PVC products in Australia.

Under the current BEP scheme, products that are independently verified as being fully compliant with all scheme guidelines are recognised in the GBCA’s product certification scheme for Green Star building rating tools, as well as other public and private procurement policies in Australia.

The VCA also issues a Best Environmental Practice PVC Licence Mark and provides an online register of PVC product manufacturers that are confirmed as meeting the guidelines’ required stringent compliance conditions. BEP accreditation can be achieved by manufacturers not only in Australia but around the world, with PVC products manufactured in Europe, the US and Asia among those having achieved BEP verification.

Updates to the BEP scheme will result in closer alignment of the scheme guidelines with the VCA’s PVC Stewardship Program commitments, which represent an ongoing, voluntary undertaking by companies within the Australian PVC industry to recognise and address relevant environmental, health and safety aspects within the lifecycle of PVC products.

Following an extensive consultation and review period on the scheme with the GBCA and various stakeholders over recent months, the VCA is offering any further interested parties a final chance to provide feedback on the detailed compliance criteria and verification requirements proposed for the updated scheme moving forward. The VCA aims to launch the updated BEP 2.0 scheme criteria and guidelines by late November 2022.

If you wish to provide feedback, please contact the VCA at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive a copy of the proposed changes and other relevant information. All feedback must be received by the close of the final consultation period on Friday 21^st October 2022 to be considered.

In the face of the continuous spotlight on the PVC industry globally to meet relevant sustainability benchmarks and consider extended producer responsibility (EPR), the Vinyl Council of Australia (VCA) urges all businesses involved in the Australian PVC value chain to explore the avenues available to safeguard against potential pressures from environmental and government organisations such as those currently taking place in the US.

For those who aren’t aware, in early May 2022 the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a draft consent decree that it would resolve the Center for Biological Diversity’s (CBD) lawsuit, which alleged that the EPA unreasonably refused to rule on CBD’s 2014 petition to list discarded PVC as hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

In 2014, under the Obama Administration, the EPA denied a similar petition from CBD under the Toxic Substances Control Act, but did not act on their subsequent 2014 RCRA petition. After no movement from the EPA in response to CBD’s 2014 RCRA petition to list discarded PVC as hazardous waste, in August 2021 CBD filed a lawsuit against the EPA in which they alleged that there had been unreasonable delay by the EPA to act on the petition. Following the EPA’s consent decree in May 2022, it has been agreed upon by both parties that the EPA make a tentative decision on the listing of discarded PVC as hazardous waste by 20 January 2023 and a final determination by 12 April 2024.

While a granting of the petition by the EPA would likely take years to come into effect in the US and any similar action in Australia would also require long deliberations, in the meantime the question of whether discarded PVC should be treated as hazardous waste will remain active.

As the VCA continues to monitor this case to inform members and industry stakeholders of updates and provide any necessary input, we urge businesses to consider actively pursuing EPR initiatives including opportunities to decrease potential exposure to any eventual classification through implementing sound sustainability and stewardship practices to minimise volumes of discarded and/or waste PVC.

Given that CBD’s petition is not aimed merely at PVC waste generated in the initial manufacturing stage but also that finished materials or products containing PVC are hazardous when discarded, we also recommend due consideration of the flow-on impacts such a classification in the US might have on the recycling of PVC globally and to ensure take-back and recycling schemes are being soundly implemented to maximise re-use of PVC materials and products.

One way in which your business can strongly position itself against any residual flow-back of potential classifications is through joining the VCA’s PVC Stewardship Program (PSP), which is the Australian PVC industry’s voluntary, ongoing commitment to undertaking stewardship practices and addressing relevant environmental, health and safety aspects within the lifecycle of PVC products.

The program includes over 50 Signatories from across the industry who record and report their progress annually in reaching the program’s commitments, with high performing Signatories able to publicly promote their credentials as an industry-leader in sustainability through their involvement in the program. Find out more about the benefits of signing up to the PSP and how your business can become involved: https://www.vinyl.org.au/sustainability/stewardship

Another avenue open to businesses within the PVC value chain to further promote their EPR credentials and re-use of PVC materials is our VinylCycle Label, which represents a collaborative partnership with Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) to verify recycled PVC content claims and encourage uptake and innovation relating to PVC recyclate. VinylCycle verification is available to both local and international applicants claiming at least 10% of the PVC compound by weight constitutes recycled PVC, and builds on the VCA’s PSP commitment to encourage the use of recycled PVC in products which has seen PVC recyclate usage in Australia grow significantly since 2015.

As well as providing specifiers, procurers, and consumers with a means of identifying products with genuine recycled content, VinylCycle verification allows businesses to gain recognition for use of PVC recyclate and contribution towards a circular economy for PVC, and importantly provides a framework for management, documentation, and reporting of recyclate use to publicly demonstrate this commitment to industry sustainability. To find out more about the VinylCycle Label and apply, go to: https://www.vinyl.org.au/vinylcycle

As the PVC industry and manufacturing sectors more generally face increasing pressures to exhibit an ongoing commitment to environmental improvements, it has never been more important to take advantage of the opportunities available to your business to showcase sound stewardship and sustainability practices. Membership with the Vinyl Council of Australia and the subsequent access and discounts provided for our range of industry-recognised sustainability programs and product verification schemes will help support a strong EPR stance for your business and a sustainable future for PVC.

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or click here to find out more about becoming a member of the VCA and the benefits available for your business.

Epworth Richmond has been one of the most consistent high-performing hospitals over recent periods in our PVC Recycling in Hospitals (PRIH) program, with the hospital averaging 250+kg of recycled PVC per month in their collection bins through the first half of 2022. That’s enough to make 2km of recycled garden hose each month! Despite major disruptions to hospital operations during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Epworth recycled almost seven tonnes of PVC, equivalent to 45km of garden hose!

Having been participating in the PRIH program for many years, sustainability has remained a focus at Epworth Richmond. According to Simon Mikedis, Group Sustainability Manager at Epworth HealthCare, interest in the program to recycle used PVC medical devices initially stemmed from a couple of factors. Firstly, the hospital identified PVC was a valuable recyclable resource, however it wasn’t accepted in the general commingled recycling programs due to clinical waste concerns. While PVC items make up a significant share of the hospital’s waste stream, it was being sent to landfill. Secondly, the hospital wanted to address the rising cost of sending waste to landfill and stricter EPA laws around waste prevention and resource recovery, which aligned with a new strategic commitment by Epworth to improved sustainability practices and the circular use of resources.

Since joining the PRIH program, Epworth has focused on education and communication with staff to grow involvement in the program and make PVC recycling such a success. This comprised staff involvement and promotion of the program across the organisation through various sustainability committees, distribution of educational program posters and other materials and acknowledgement of ongoing recycling progress (in association with Baxter Healthcare statistics)

Simon points to the establishment of ‘recycling champions’ in each ward as being integral to the hospital’s success in their recycling efforts. These champions were always available to educate and assist staff in determining the materials permitted in the PVC recycling bins. This level of education plays an important role in helping Epworth reduce contamination from non-PVC waste, which can be a common issue that leaves PVC waste streams unrecyclable if they are co-mingled with non-PVC items which belong in the general waste stream.  

As one of the largest hospitals in Victoria, it is great to see the commitment by Epworth Richmond  to sustainability and the recycling of used PVC within a circular economy. We look forward to seeing more recycling achievements from them going forward.

To find out more about the VCA’s PVC Recycling in Hospitals program including how your hospital can get involved, go to: https://www.vinyl.org.au/pvc-recycling-in-hospitals

A staff member at Epworth Richmond participates in the PVC Recycling in Hospitals program.

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.

Creating a circular economy for PVC through industry and stakeholder collaboration requires transformation in the way PVC products are designed, produced and used. Ongoing progress towards this goal was revealed by a host of global experts at PVC AUS 2022: Shared Horizons.

Organised by the Vinyl Council of Australia (VCA), the two-day Gold Coast, Queensland conference brought together over 130 delegates from Australasia’s vinyl value chain to discuss key trends, issues and sustainability challenges influencing the region’s PVC sector.

Major topics included collaboration with industry, government and stakeholder groups to find solutions to PVC circularity and reinforce the material’s role in a circular economy. This included the challenge of transitioning to lower carbon PVC products, avoiding substances of high concern and shifting local uPVC window production to the next level covered by a range of local and international expert speakers.

The event was supported by headline sponsors Formosa Plastics Corporation, a vertically integrated supplier of plastic resin, fibre and petrochemicals, plastics extrusion technology leaders Battenfeld-Cincinnati and Greiner Extrusion GmbH, and powder handling specialists Idealtec.

In his opening address, VCA Chairman Matthew Hoyne highlighted how their 20-year-old PVC Stewardship Program (PSP) remains a valuable program for a circular economy, with 50+ signatory companies engaged with the Vinyl Council’s aims of advancing sustainable development of the industry.

“Our PVC Stewardship Program led the industry in addressing upfront material design issues – reducing emissions and avoiding mercury, lead and cadmium, and more recently low molecular weight phthalates.  It has also encouraged industry to start addressing greenhouse gas emissions and the minimisation of production waste to landfill and uptake of PVC recyclate in products, as well as transparency in the discussion of issues across the supply chain,” he said.

Gerhard Hoffman, Head of Product Design and Innovations at Greiner Extrusion outlined the world market for uPVC windows and lessons for Australian industry growth, pointing out PVC windows’ popularity in Europe is due to their low thermal conductivity leading to higher performing windows.

Forecasting future uPVC profile designs, he explained: “The game changer will be U-value. Australia has one of the highest minimum required U-values in the world (the lower the U-value, the more thermally-efficient the window): the ideal window for our climate would have a U value of 1.5 for optimum thermal efficiency.”

While in 2006 uPVC windows had a market share of just 1.6% in Australia, by 2021 that had increased to 8.8%, and Gerhard saw much more possibility for growth in the coming years. He added: “I see a potential for 7.7 million window units in Australia based on the population, while currently there are only 4 million window units.”

In her perspective on changing perceptions for a more sustainable future, Cindy Bray from the Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia (PIPA) updated delegates on their Construction Plastics Recycling Scheme supported by the Queensland Government.

“Construction waste and building demolition are the prime opportunities for recovery of PVC piping for recycling and re-use,” she observed. “Six months on, all stakeholders are keen to continue and expand the scheme.”

Lessons from developing a circular economy for resilient floorcoverings in Europe was covered by Jane Gardner of the European Resilient Flooring Manufacturers Institute (ERFMI) who outlined process developments for recovering end-of-life flooring waste and producing secondary phthalate-free PVC, thus preventing usable resources from landfill and/or incineration. ERFMI members recycled 120,000 tonnes of waste PVC flooring in 2021.

Speakers on the business case for addressing sustainability included Andrew Petersen, CEO of the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia who Australia, who used his thought-provoking presentation to challenge delegates with the question: “Do we need to stop making profit from creating problems for people on this planet, and instead start making profitable solutions?”

One of the additional highlights from the event was prominent futurist Gihan Perera’s keynote address, who entertained and engaged delegates for over an hour as he examined trends and innovations following the Covid-19 pandemic, lessons and skills to be “fit for the future” and key questions businesses should be asking themselves moving forward.

Summing up, Matthew Hoyne reflected: “It’s been four years, but our in-person event has provided inspirational insights and invaluable networking opportunities that will increase understanding and collaboration in our ongoing transition to vinyl sustainability.”

Andrew Petersen added: “PVC AUS 2022 is an important gathering of business, think tanks and government to discuss and explore the practical business solutions that the industry can make to a net zero, and circular and inclusive future Australian economy.”

In addition to the wide range of expert speakers and presentations, PVC AUS 2022 also included valuable networking and discussion time for delegates to re-connect after close to four years since the previous in-person conference, as well as opportunity to browse a range of exhibitor tables and the formal VCA Sustainability Awards dinner.

Australia’s PVC manufacturing industry consumes more than A$1 billion of raw materials annually and over A$3 billion of products containing PVC are sold in Australia.

CLICK HERE to view the short video recap of PVC AUS 2022 and check out a few photo highlights below:

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.