Global PVC production is concentrated in a wide range of products, with 58% used for structural purposes such as tubes, pipes, extruded profiles for carpentry, and sheets for lining or coatings. Yet a recent report notes that unlike aluminum, PVC is rarely recycled on par with other construction materials. This reality pushes professionals to advocate for specialized recycling methods tailored to PVC. (Attribution: CoCircular study, Aluminio Asociación Española, 2023)
Most plastic recycling systems are designed for consumer plastics and household items. As a result, PVC components from demolition and renovations, including windows, are frequently disposed of in inert waste streams mixed with lower-quality recycling outputs. In these scenarios, purification does not always remove hazardous or residual components of the original material. (Attribution: CoCircular findings, AEA)
This conclusion comes from CoCircular, a study titled “Recyclability of PVC and aluminum carpentry materials,” prepared by the Spanish Aluminum Association (AEA), which represents more than 600 companies in the sector. Independent experts assessed the true circularity of PVC and aluminum used in carpentry profile products. (Attribution: AEA, 2023)
Construction PVC waste is a focal point of ongoing discussions, especially since the entry into force of Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soils on 8 April. There is a notable trend toward improved waste separation, though not all streams meet the minimum quality standards required by treatment facilities. Plastics, as an example, often arrive with mixed quantities and qualities, and whether they are correctly classified depends on the treatment plant’s technological capacity. If misclassified, the material may end up in inert landfills due to economic constraints in sorting. (Attribution: Gonzalo de Olabarria, AEA Secretary General, 2022–2023)
The origin of the plastic problem is tied to the vast diversity of materials within the waste stream. There is no straightforward subdivision to group materials with similar properties by chemical composition, which complicates sorting at the source. (Attribution: CoCircular, 2023)
Because many plastics are incompatible, each must be addressed and managed differently. Yet high costs and limited resources often reduce practical separation to materials that are financially advantageous, notably among metals such as aluminum, copper, lead, and iron/steel. (Attribution: CoCircular, 2023)
Recycling for PVC continues to pose challenges in Spain, as noted by industry experts. Unlike many plastics, aluminum used in construction is recycled at high rates and can be recycled indefinitely without a loss of properties or quality. Aluminum does not corrode easily in water, nor degrade with exposure to air, making it highly resilient to recycling processes. (Attribution: CoCircular, AEA, 2023)
CoCircular’s study on the recyclability of PVC and aluminum carpentry materials also highlights several key findings. Until the 2022 update of waste management regulations, there were no clearly defined targets for separating the different material families that make up construction and demolition waste (CDW). (Attribution: CoCircular, 2023)
- There remains a lack of a clearly managed, defined regulatory framework detailing waste characteristics and typologies produced by the industry. (Attribution: CoCircular, 2023)
- There is a recognized need for explicit subdivision in waste classification, especially for plastics, which remains complex and broad. (Attribution: CoCircular, 2023)
- With new regulations in force, public oversight and enforcement by authorities are not yet robust. (Attribution: CoCircular, 2023)
- RCD managers often focus on stone materials, and technology for effective separation beyond stone and metal is not always available. (Attribution: CoCircular, 2023)
- Economic disincentives and varying waste rates hinder on-site separation and recovery. (Attribution: CoCircular, 2023)
- Only metal waste often yields an economic return, encouraging on-site sorting and cost optimization. (Attribution: CoCircular, 2023)
- Awareness and education gaps hinder proper segregation to meet legislation goals and reduce environmental impact. (Attribution: CoCircular, 2023)
- New construction typologies show improvements in waste management and treatment. (Attribution: CoCircular, 2023)
- Demolition and rehabilitation efforts still struggle with CDW management, excelling mainly in stone waste. (Attribution: CoCircular, 2023)
- Effective separation is most successful within metal waste streams that offer profitability. (Attribution: CoCircular, 2023)
The full report is summarized in the publication Recyclability study of aluminum and PVC carpentry_Updated.pdf (asoc-aluminio.es). (Attribution: CoCircular, 2023)
Endnotes and references are noted for further reading but the emphasis remains on practical improvements in separation, material-specific treatment, and policy alignment to advance circularity in construction and demolition waste streams. (Attribution: CoCircular, 2023)
Note: The environmental department remains focused on policy implementation, technical capacity building, and stakeholder coordination to improve waste management outcomes across the sector. (Attribution: AEA, 2023)