PVC Pipe Recycling Up & Running

After a year of pilot projects the Plastics Industry Pipes Association of New Zealand (PIPA) is pleased to announce that plastic Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) pipe can now be recycled within New Zealand.  An estimated 80 tonnes of plastic pipe will be collected this year and it is hoped that this will increase as the construction and waste industries become aware of the service.

Pipe manufacturers see taking waste pipe back as part of taking responsibility for the whole life cycle of their products and being good corporate citizens.  Marley New Zealand Ltd (Auckland), Iplex Pipelines Ltd (Palmerston North) and RX Plastics Ltd (Ashburton) after inspection will all now accept deliveries of pipe waste for recycling. 

Pre-delivery inspections by these manufacturers have so far ensured that uncontaminated pipe is being received.  Putting recycled pipe through a grinder and incorporating it into a new product obviously means that the scheme is highly dependent on these inspections and upon contractors sorting their waste thoroughly.

Because it is often difficult to tell the difference between PVC and HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) pipes the manufacturers sort these after delivery alleviating the hassle for waste contractors and the risk of contamination for themselves.

After sorting the pipe is reground and recycled into other pipe applications like drain flow coil pipe.  Both PVC and HDPE are thermoplastics which are easily re-melted and reformed into new applications.

The key to the success of the recycling pilot projects has been the commitment of Waste Management New Zealand, the Ashburton Waste Busters and Chesters Plumbing who have provided for the segregation, collection and delivery of the pipe back to the manufacturers.

For more information on PVC pipe recycling in New Zealand please contact Carolyn Cox, Environmental Manager, Plastics Industry Pipes Association of New Zealand.

Photo Caption: Plastic pipes collected by Heb Contracting to be recycled in Auckland