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Waste management
Under the Vinyl Council of Australia Product Stewardship Commitment, 33 companies in the Australian PVC industry have committed to address the health and environmental concerns associated with the manufacture, use and disposal of their products. This agreement was developed by the PVC industry in cooperation with the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (then known as Environment Australia) and endorsed by Dr David Kemp, the then Minister for the Environment and Heritage in October 2002.
For further information on the Commitment or to download a copy go to the Vinyl Council web site.
The Department commissioned ExcelPlas Polymer Technology to identify and characterise:
The ExcelPlas report identifies the range, quantities and life expectancies of the major PVC products and applications. It identifies current producers and suppliers of PVC products and additives in Australia, and the origin of these products and additives where they are imported. The report also identifies and characterises the end of life environmental issues and impacts relating to PVC, including leaving the product in situ, mechanical recycling, landfilling, incineration and waste to energy conversion.
This report provides an independent expert analysis of PVC recycling and disposal issues. While this valuable report will inform the Industry’s efforts in fulfillment of the Product Stewardship Commitment, the consultant’s recommendations have not been endorsed by the industry or Australian Government.