The Washington, D.C.-based Vinyl Sustainability Council (VSC) is hosting a virtual recycling summit June 18 to bring the industry together to discuss the opportunities, needs and challenges of vinyl recovery and waste management.
The webcast, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. eastern time, will feature presentations on vinyl recycling technology, logistics and marketing. The online event is geared toward PVC suppliers, formulators, product manufacturers, recyclers and others interested in learning about vinyl recovery.
Landfill diversion through recycling and waste management is a top priority for the industry, according to Jay Thomas, executive director of the VSC, which was founded in 2016 and is a partner to the Vinyl Institute trade association.
"Each year, the vinyl industry recycles more than 1 billion pounds of material, but we know there are opportunities to increase this. This event will bring industry leaders together to discuss how we can drive recycling forward," Thomas said in a press release.
The summit will focus primarily on three topics: The value of recycled vinyl materials; The technical aspects of recycling vinyl; And the future of vinyl recycling. Industry experts will lead sessions about the state of vinyl recycling in the U.S., market-specific recycling initiatives, case studies and success stories from vinyl product manufacturers.
"We want to start a movement in vinyl recycling," Thomas said. "But the movement can't begin with the work of just one individual or one company. Working together, members of the vinyl value chain can make a meaningful impact on global recycling goals."
The preliminary agenda shows a variety of speakers, including independent researcher Stephen Tarnell, of Tarnell Company, who will discuss the landscape of vinyl recycling in the U.S; Scott Farling of Titus MRF Services about curbside secondary recovery; Stan Graveline of Sika Sarnafil and Ryan Hartz of Azek Co. about their recycling initiatives for roofing, fence and decking; and more.
The event is free to VSC members, V-Cycle Task Force members and current students and academics. The cost for others is $150. For more information and to register, go to https://www.vinylinfo.org/event/vinyl-recycling-summit/