PVC makes up a large share of construction materials worldwide, mainly in the form of tubes, pipes, extruded profiles for carpentry, and sheets for lining or coatings. Yet a report shows that, unlike aluminum, PVC is rarely recycled. This creates a demand for specialized recycling processes to manage this material effectively.
Most plastic recycling methods target household products and single use items. As a result, PVC elements from demolition and repair, such as windows, often end up in inert waste containers mixed with lower quality recyclables. In these cases, hazardous or residual components of the original material may not be removed during purification.
This finding comes from CoCircular, a study titled Recyclability of PVC and aluminum carpentry materials, commissioned by the Spanish Aluminum Association and prepared by independent experts to assess how circular PVC and aluminum materials are within carpentry profile products. The association represents more than 600 companies in the sector. It highlights the real state of circularity and the challenges faced in recycling these specific materials.
Construction PVC waste has become a focal point for recycling agencies. Since the introduction of waste and contaminated soils laws, there has been a notable trend toward separating waste more efficiently. However, plants still often struggle to meet the minimum quality standards required for processing, particularly for plastics. The key issue is that batches come from varied sources with different quantities and qualities. Whether a plant can classify them economically depends on its technological capacity; if not, the waste is sent to inert landfills because proper classification is not financially viable, according to the Association’s Secretary General Gonzalo de Olabarria.
The root of the plastic problem lies in the diversity of materials involved. Plastics are mixed into a broad group without clear subdivisions based on chemical composition, which complicates sorting and recycling in practice.
Because many plastics are incompatible with one another, each type must be treated and managed separately. The high cost of separation and the lack of resources throughout the process often mean that only materials that are financially profitable are treated. Metals, including aluminum, copper, lead, and iron or steel, are typically prioritized for recovery and recycling because they offer clearer economic returns.
The contrast with aluminum is stark. Aluminum used in construction materials is recycled at an exceptionally high rate, exceeding ninety percent. This metal can be recycled indefinitely without losing its properties or quality. It resists decomposition by water and weathering, remaining stable over time, which makes its recovery economically appealing and technically straightforward in many systems.
CoCircular also draws several conclusions from the study on the recyclability of PVC and aluminum carpentry materials. It notes a number of trends and gaps that have persisted in recent years and points to evolving regulations as a catalyst for change.
- Before 2022, there were no clearly defined targets for separating the different material families within construction and demolition waste. This uncertainty complicated effective segregation.
- The industry lacks a unified, clear definition and regulation for waste characteristics and typologies produced by carpentry and construction activities.
- There is a growing call for explicit subsections in waste classification. Plastics, in particular, require precise handling due to their diverse properties.
- Current regulations show gaps in oversight and enforcement by public administrations, creating inconsistent implementation across regions.
- Waste management professionals focused on remediation often concentrate on stone materials, with limited capability for effective classification and segregation of plastics, metals, and other streams.
- Economic incentives for segregated waste vary, making on-site separation financially challenging in many cases.
- Only metal waste and scrap show reliable economic returns, which tends to drive on-site sorting toward those streams and away from plastics and other materials.
- Awareness and education for waste segregation remain limited, hindering compliance with legislation and efforts to reduce environmental impact across the sector.
- The newest construction typologies have brought improvements in waste management and treatment, but challenges persist in some waste streams.
- Demolition, rehabilitation, and reform work still lag in the effective management and treatment of construction and demolition waste, with metal and stone waste showing clearer gains.
- Effective separation is most achievable within metal waste streams that offer profitability and economic optimization.
Further details and data can be found in the updated study on the recyclability of aluminum and PVC carpentry materials, published by the Aluminum Association and its partners. This document provides a comprehensive overview of the current state and the improvements needed to advance material recovery across the sector.
In summary, the study underscores the importance of clear regulatory targets, improved classification schemes, and better on-site sorting practices. These elements are essential to moving toward a more circular economy for both PVC and aluminum in construction, with aluminum already demonstrating a robust and longstanding recycling performance and PVC requiring continued advances in technology and policy to close the loop.