The Long Read
Shifting the narrative on PVC-U recycling
Ryan Lennox of Veka Recycling argues a policy shift is essential to advance the PVC-U recycling conversation in industry
PVC-U recycling in the UK has seen encouraging progress over recent years, with manufacturers and industry bodies stepping up to deliver greener solutions. Despite this momentum, inconsistencies in uptake and execution continue to undermine the potential of PVC-U as a circular material.
The conversation around PVC-U recycling must evolve.
What’s needed now is a broader framework that connects individual efforts with national strategy.
Durable, resilient and easily recyclable, PVC-U has a valuable role to play in reducing environmental impact within construction and home improvement. Yet, across the country, too many replaced frames still end up in landfill – not due to lack of recycling capability, but a fragmented approach to PVC-U disposal and recycling.
The issue isn’t that the technology or infrastructure doesn’t exist. In fact, many parts of the sector have already demonstrated how effective a circular model can be.
At Veka Recycling’s facility in Wellingborough, for instance, we collect end-of-life frames from partners, reprocess them into high-quality material and feed them directly back into the manufacturing cycle. This keeps materials in use longer, slashes the need for virgin plastic, and minimises environmental disruption. Approximately 95% of the PVC-U waste collected by Veka is recycled, with 60% re-entering the market as new window products.
Industry-wide programmes have made steps to address the challenge at scale. The FENSA Recycling Scheme, available in regions across the UK, offers installers a free service for disposing of old PVC-U products responsibly. Similarly, the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has broadened its recycling services to cover a range of construction materials, reinforcing the sector’s commitment to sustainable practices.
But these actions, while commendable, still rely on voluntary participation. With many installers under pressure to cut time and costs, convenient but unsustainable choices often win out. Once old frames enter mixed waste streams, recycling of the materials becomes far less likely. Education gaps at general waste facilities only add to the problem.
The path forward requires a stronger intervention – a legislative framework is needed to drive change.
In Germany and other EU nations, waste policy now mandates the recovery and reuse of construction materials.
Adopting this approach in the UK, with structured legislative support could harmonise efforts across the supply chain, providing both accountability and incentive.
A potential model lies in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks. Already successful in sectors like packaging and electronics, EPR shifts end-of-life responsibility onto producers – driving smarter design decisions and bolstering the infrastructure needed for material recovery and reuse.
Veka is actively advancing this model through its closed-loop recycling operations, transforming end-of-life PVC-U frames into high-performance new products. As part of this commitment, Veka is targeting 35% recycled content within its window and door profiles by the end of 2025 – reinforcing its role as a frontrunner in circular innovation for fenestration.
However, rigid mandates may not suit the fenestration industry, which is heavily reliant on agility and innovation. Given that the industry is already making strides in recycling, a blended approach could be more effective: one that rewards best practice, sets achievable recycling targets and supports organisations to meet them.
Certification schemes, for example, could reward those prioritising sustainability with an accreditation that gives them a competitive edge. This would create an incentive for companies to adopt recycling practices without imposing heavy regulatory burdens. Engaging all value chain components is necessary to ensure a future where circularity is the rule rather than the exception.
Veka Recycling remains determined to lead the industry in creating a circular economy, but sector-wide transformation will hinge on policy that aligns with the industry’s ambition and accelerates systemic change.
