Recycling

Eurocell is leading the sustainability agenda with recycled PVC-U

Building Products Index Ltd March 29, 2022 Doors, PVC-U, PVC-U, Windows Leave a Comment

Eurocell has now proven that significant carbon savings can be achieved from the reuse of post-industrial and post-consumer waste to create new PVC-U solutions
Estimates to establish lifecycle impact of using recycled PVC-U window frames independently verified by Manchester Metropolitan University
Eurocell’s recycling strategy delivered saving of over 25,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in 2021

A research whitepaper has supported the positive environmental impact of using recycled waste materials for the manufacture and fabrication of new PVC-U windows and doors.

Existing data sets and modelling have been verified by Manchester Metropolitan University, with the findings set out in The Environmental Impact of Using Post-Consumer PVC-U Waste to Create Today’s Windows and Doors.

The paper estimates the lifecycle environmental impact of creating new recycled PVC-U from post-industrial and post-consumer window frame waste. The waste comprises of both off-cuts and rejects from the manufacturing process (post-industrial), as well as old frames recovered at their end of their life and destined for landfill (post-consumer). It is also worth considering the impact of BREEAM credits arising from putting steel and aluminium used as reinforcement, back into the circulation.

The study uncovered three key facts:

Significant sustainability savings can be achieved by using recycled waste materials in unseen areas instead of virgin PVC-U on newly fabricated window frames and doors.
Recycling post-consumer waste leads to higher carbon savings thanks to the credits for metals recycling.
Using one tonne of post-consumer PVC-U as part of recycling efforts within a PVC-U manufacturing operation will save 2.056 tonne CO₂ equivalent against the use of virgin PVC-U, equivalent to approximately two months’ worth of carbon emissions from the average person in the UK.*

Mark Kelly CEO for Eurocell, comments: “Eurocell is an industry leader producing enough window and door extruded profiles to fabricate over 2.2 million windows and doors annually to meet the demand for high performing, aesthetically pleasing solutions. These design solutions are all focused around recycle content where British Standards allow.

“Like all responsible businesses we have to ensure that our operations are sustainable for the long term and transparent as climate concerns continue to grow. That is why we set out, with the help of Manchester Metropolitan University, to better understand the impact of our processes, especially around carbon emissions.”

Eurocell operates two recycling plants across the UK. Each site transforms waste PVC that would otherwise be discarded to landfill into recycled pellet. This is then extruded using dual material extrusion technology back into its popular new windows and door systems. Based upon the study’s conclusions, which have been independently assessed and validated by academics at Manchester Metropolitan University, it is calculated that 12,000 plus tonnes of post-consumer waste extruded by the company in 2020 led directly to a saving of over 25,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by replacing virgin PVC-U with recycled post-consumer PVC-U.

Mark continues: “The study’s conclusions clearly show the positive impact our strategic decision to use waste PVC-U to drive our recycling operations is having. Not only have we significantly cut the carbon emissions that result from our manufacturing processes, the use of recycled materials in our windows and doors enables housebuilders and consumers to make more informed and better environmental choices.

“For instance, housebuilders constructing 2,500 units will save around 627 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year by specifying Eurocell windows and cavity closures with recycled content over full virgin PVC-U windows.

“It is vital that businesses play their part in helping to reverse the current climate emergency. We are now able to provide our customers, housebuilders, and homeowners with an accurate and verified carbon saving statistic associated with the reuse of waste materials in our manufacturing operations. This means they can specify and buy with confidence and know their choices are environmentally positive.”

Copies of The Environmental Impact of Using Post-Consumer PVC-U Waste to Create Today’s Windows and Doors are available by visiting: https://www.eurocell.co.uk/pvc-u-trade/resource-hub/whitepapers

Eurocell – Committed to Sustainability

Building Products Index Ltd September 27, 2021 Doors, PVC-U, PVC-U, Windows Leave a Comment

View the Eurocell entry on BPindex

Visit the eurocell website

These days, the word “sustainability” seems to crop up everywhere. But is it just another business buzzword, or are we genuinely making a shift in the way we think and act, to protect and preserve the world we live in for future generations?

While “Green Issues” like recycling and sustainability were on the fringe 20 years ago, these days they’re right at the heart of business with sustainability having a huge influence on every aspect of industry, especially at Eurocell.

PVC-U is a highly sustainable product, robust enough to be recycled and repurposed up to 10 times without its quality or performance deteriorating, giving it a lifespan in the construction industry of 350 years.

At our recycling plants, we process up to 70,000 old PVC-U window frames per week, or around 39,000 tonnes per year. Once recycled, it is used to create a variety of new products, from thermal inserts to our revolutionary Modus window system. By doing this we can reuse almost 100% of our production waste.

Wherever possible, we offer a ‘closed loop’ service, reengineering the PVC-U taken from old frames to make new windows, doors and building products for the same supplier.

The process uses less energy and gives customers a high performance, more efficient product. Working in commercial, refurbishment sectors and social housing, we have the capability to collect nationwide and reprocess old window frames that may otherwise go to landfill, converting them to reusable material which can be used as a raw material in the manufacture of new building products.

Preventing post-consumer windows and doors going to landfill is not only environmentally beneficial but has a direct impact on project delivery and cost effectiveness. Under current government commitments landfill tax is set to continue.

By adopting and implementing sustainable practices companies can manage resources, build their environmental reputation, and ultimately reduce costs.

Products manufactured from recycled PVC-U are actually stronger than those made with virgin plastic because of the chemical transformation of the polymers it contains when it goes through the recycling process.

At our consolidated operations in Ilkeston and Selby, Eurocell Recycle now offers the largest and most complete closed-loop process in the UK.

Recycling plays a significant role in making industry sustainable. That’s why Eurocell is so heavily committed to recycling every single piece of UPVC waste we create. We aim to bring as many post-consumers window frames, doors, conservatories and building items as possible back into the production process, keeping tonnes of UPVC out of landfill.

To find out more about our sustainability, or to arrange a collection of PVC-U frames visit: www.eurocell.co.uk/eurocell-recycle

‘closed loop’ service Eurocell PVC-U doors PVC-U recycling PVC-U windows Recycling

Designs for a Cleaner, Safer & More Sustainable Environment

Building Products Index Ltd June 24, 2021 Benches, Bins, Litter Bins, Recycling bins, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

View the Glasdon entry on BPindex

Visit the Glasdon website

At Glasdon, we have over 60 years’ experience in designing, manufacturing and supplying essential products which can improve spaces, enhance site safety and help to support waste management systems and recycling.

Glasdon UK serves over 50,000 customers throughout the whole of the UK. As a company, we are committed to constantly evolving, to meet the specialised demands of our customers.

Glasdon are passionate about the environment and committed to improving our environmental impact. Dedicated to integrating sustainable and ethical practice into our day-to-day activities, Glasdon aim to be an economically, environmentally, and socially responsible member of the local and global community.

New product development has been a defining element throughout our history. We are continually enhancing our product range and pave the way in the market by introducing unique products. Working together with our innovative design team, we want to provide real world solutions, tailored to meeting our customers’ needs.

We design our products to have a long service life and wherever possible they are made using recycled and recyclable materials. Researching and implementing new sustainable technologies and manufacturing processes allows us to achieve this. The vast majority of our products are proudly manufactured and assembled in the United Kingdom which helps ensure our carbon footprint is kept to a minimum.

Assisting with implementing and adopting practices to help keep areas tidy and litter free, Glasdon have a large selection of indoor and outdoor waste and recycling containers, available in a selection of styles, sizes and colours to suit all requirements.

Implementing a recycling solution that helps users segregate waste efficiently will really help boost recycling rates. Ideal for offices and indoor facilities, our new Nexus® Stack Recycling Bins are available in single, double and triple-stack configurations for up to 6 individual waste streams. Choose the apertures and graphics you need to create the ideal sorting system for your organisation’s needs.

Another exciting addition is the new Nexus® Evolution City Recycling Bin. This external recycling bin is the perfect solution for the collection of up to four separate recycling streams in one large capacity container. With 3 models, 5 configurations and over 50 interchangeable apertures available, the Nexus Evolution City is set to become one of the most flexible external recycling bins on the market!

Create inviting and sustainable outdoor spaces where you need to with seats, benches and picnic tables manufactured from recycled materials. Glasdon Enviropol® material is predominantly produced from post-consumer polyethylene and polypropylene. This means the Enviropol slats on one of our seating products could contain as many as 102,420 recycled bottle caps!

For more information, visit our website www.glasdon.com to view our full product range, or contact our sales team sales@glasdon-uk.co.uk

Glasdon Litter bins Nexus® Evolution City Recycling Bin Nexus® Stack Recycling Bins Recycling waste management systems