Is PVC Recyclable? How to Properly Dispose of PVC Pipes and Tubes
Recycling takes a bit more effort, but protecting the environment is worth it
Highlights
PVC is used in building most homes and is often found in plumbing and drainage systems.
PVC is recyclable but requires an extra step in the process so that its additives don’t harm anyone or the environment.
If there aren’t any recycling facilities in your area that can handle PVC, you may find other uses for it.
Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC as most of us know it, is a common material in our homes. From plumbing fixtures and vinyl flooring to wires and windows, we come in contact with it on a daily basis. Since most of us use it in some form, it’s a natural question to ask what you’re supposed to do with this material when you remove it from your home.
The answer is that while PVC is recyclable, it’s a little trickier to get rid of than other forms of plastic. In this guide, we’ll discuss why PVC recycling is important and how to go about it.
Can PVC Be Recycled?
The answer to this question is complicated. Ultimately, PVC is recyclable, but in reality, the infrastructure for doing so is limited, largely because it’s challenging to recycle PVC. A few key components manufacturers use to make PVC materials—namely, chlorine, plasticizers, and stabilizers—make the final PVC product complicated to recycle.
Heating PVC can release deadly chlorine gas, and heating the other components can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, which are hazardous to human health and the environment. PVC recycling facilities need specialized equipment and processes to shred the PVC, treat it chemically to separate the components, and then collect the reusable materials for use in new PVC material.
Recycling PVC is not only challenging, but some of the materials aren’t reusable, so it’s not a 100% recyclable material. With that being said, though, recycling PVC whenever and wherever possible is important if you want to do your part to reduce your impact on the environment.
Why Proper Disposal of PVC Is Important
Proper disposal of PVC is essential for a few reasons. PVC is part of the plastic family, and like other forms of plastic, if you don’t recycle it, it ends up taking up enormous space in landfills. This form of plastic will not break down on its own, so if it makes its way into a landfill, it will remain there indefinitely. With so many PVC products in use every day, you can imagine how quickly this adds up in our landfills.
PVC also contains multiple additives and is listed by the EPA as a known human carcinogen, so letting it sit in a landfill also puts added strain on the environment over time. With so much PVC in use in industrial, commercial, and residential applications and limited recycling opportunities, it’s important to do your part when possible to make sure your PVC waste is recycled.
Whatever you do, don’t burn PVC. When you burn it, it lets off pollutants called dioxins, which can hurt you or your family members if inhaled—not to mention their negative environmental impact. Facilities that properly dispose of PVC take extra precautions with it, ensuring no harmful chemicals are emitted.
Ways to Dispose of PVC Properly
You have a few options when it comes to disposing of PVC in a responsible manner. These benefit you and your home directly, as well as the environment at large, and also help decrease the amount of PVC in landfills.
Recycle It
As mentioned, PVC is recyclable, but unfortunately, you can’t simply add it to your recycling bin and place it out at the curb. Because of the extra precaution needed for proper disposal, the best course of action is to call your local plastics recycling center. If you have one, ask about either dropping it off or if they offer household pickups.
In some cases, this will be a paid service, but if the facility is run by your municipality, you might get free waste disposal for your PVC.
Another option is to use a local junk removal company and ask about its disposal practices with PVC. For those curious about how much junk removal costs, the average price is $240, but it ranges from $60 to $600, so it’s not the most budget-friendly solution. However, if you have a lot of PVC or other trash to get rid of, this is a great solution if you can find a local garbage removal company that recycles PVC or can deliver your PVC to a recycling facility.
Donate It
Donating PVC is another option. There are numerous organizations throughout the country that rely on building products as part of their services or resell them to raise funds. Most accept gently used materials, but you can call ahead and find out what specific needs a local chapter has, such as windows or flooring.
As an added bonus, donating may entitle you to a tax deduction, and many of these charities offer local pickup for larger items.
Repurpose It
If recycling or donating aren’t options, you can try repurposing PVC into something useful in your home. This takes a bit of creativity, but the end result means not adding to the landfills and possibly making your life a little easier.
You can make storage items with PVC, such as a fishing rod organizer or DIY garage storage for hardware and tool bits. You can try creating home and garden tool storage with a tool rack made from PVC or even a custom bike storage rack.
Irrigation is another great option for repurposing PVC since a lot of drain pipe is made from PVC. If you have a rain collection system or have always dreamed of an automated garden watering solution, your spare PVC might be all you need to get started. A little imagination and DIY can put your PVC to use and give it a new life.
Sara Coleman contributed to this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, PVC is not biodegradable and will not break down on its own in a landfill. The PVC that ends up in landfills will stay there indefinitely. The only way PVC breaks down is in the presence of extreme heat or when it comes in contact with chemical treatments specifically intended to break down the polymers.
PVC is not considered a hazardous waste in most areas, but regulations vary by location. If in doubt, you should contact your local sanitation department to confirm. The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) has been working to get PVC classified as hazardous waste, so it’s possible that it will be considered as such in the near future. If it is, disposing of PVC will require the use of a hazardous waste disposal facility or transporter in your area.
PVC is difficult to recycle for two reasons. The most compelling is that the polymers are very difficult to separate cleanly, which means recycling facilities can only extract portions of the material for use in new PVC manufacturing. The second reason is that PVC contains chlorine, plasticizers, and stabilizers that emit dangerous and sometimes cancer-causing contaminants into the air during the recycling process.