Post-consumer Flexible PVC (Multiple Streams)

Plastic materials made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are widely used in the building industry, as well as in electronics and other consumer products. PVC can be classified as rigid or flexible. Flexible applications for PVC include floor coverings, wire and cable insulation, synthetic leather, roofing membranes, wall coverings, and cover a wide array of consumer products. In order to make PVC flexible, plasticizers must be added to it. Other additives will vary by application but include flame retardants, stabilizers, and biocides. PVC can be chemically or mechanically recycled. Mechanical recycling is more common and does not remove additives. Consequently, the chemical composition of the recyclate will be similar to that of the material from which it originated. This Common Product covers post-consumer flexible PVC from non-specific recycled feedstocks. The US EPA reports that the useful life of PVC products is 20 to 50 years. As a result, this Common Product considers chemicals that have historically been used in different types of PVC products, as well as chemicals that are currently in use. 

Chemicals of concern that have historically been used in PVC include orthophthalate plasticizers and lead- and cadmium-based stabilizers. Previously it was common to use polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) flame retardants in cable and wire insulation in the United States. These were banned from production in the U.S. in 1979. In addition, waste containing PCBs at a concentration of 50 mg/kg (ppm) or more is considered to be hazardous under the Basel Convention. The Basel Convention is a multilateral agreement governing the trade of waste to which the U.S. is a signatory. It is intended to minimize the possibility of illegally handling or abandoning hazardous wastes. PVC feedstock from wire and cable insulation, or undefined and mixed sources may still be contaminated by PCBs present at concentrations lower than this. Because of the potential for post-consumer PVC to introduce legacy chemicals such as these and others, this Common Product reports all chemicals identified in our research and meeting our reporting criteria for common content. Some additional chemicals are listed in the All Contents. There are likely more chemicals that may be present in mixed PVC feedstock. 

Recycled PVC may be used in a variety of products. One of the top markets is in vinyl flooring, where PVC from multiple feedstocks may be used in the bottom layer of products and still allow these products to maintain performance requirements. Due to the concerns over legacy chemicals, however, some flooring manufacturers have placed strict guidelines on what type of post-consumer recycled PVC they incorporate into their products so that these chemicals may be avoided. Details can be found in the reports linked to in the resources tab.