PVC Recycling a Focus for Queensland’s Construction Industry this World Earth Day

This World Earth Day, Saturday 22 April,  the Queensland construction industry continues its commitment to building a sustainable future by raising awareness of how businesses can reduce waste and contributions to landfill by recycling PVC off-cuts.

Master Plumbers’ Association Queensland (MPAQ) and Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia (PIPA), in conjunction with Iplex, Reece, Tradelink, and Vinidex, launched the Construction Plastics Recycling Scheme in October 2021, with funding support from the Queensland Government.

This year's World Earth Day theme, "Restore Our Earth," highlights the urgent need to address the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation. The Construction Plastics Recycling Scheme aligns with this theme by promoting sustainable practices in the construction industry, which is a significant contributor to plastic waste.

This voluntary program has set 14 locations across South East Queensland, where PVC off-cuts can be dropped into a dedicated bin. The bins are regularly audited so the contents can be sorted to remove unusable waste before the recycling process can begin.

The Scheme aims to educate and change behaviours when it comes to the disposal of PVC offcuts, working collaboratively with the broader industry to provide easy and accessible drop off points and help divert waste from landfill, which can be. These PVC offcuts are then recycled into a new long-life recyclable pipe product.

"The construction industry has a critical role to play in reducing plastic waste and supporting the health of our planet," said MPAQ Executive Director Penny Cornah. "We're proud to support World Earth Day 2023's theme by continuing to work with our industry partners to deliver the Construction Plastics Recycling Scheme and promote environmentally responsible practices in the industry."

“Many trade businesses are committed to embracing sustainable practices. Through this scheme, we are able to provide those in South East Queensland with a simple solution to decrease the amount PVC off-cuts they send to landfill, helping them play their part in restoring our Earth,” said Ms. Cornah.

A video was developed to show the recycling process, as well as industry participation and support for the Scheme and its intention to invest in our planet. As society moves its attention towards long-term sustainability, the Queensland construction industry has recognised its role in contributing to a responsible and sustainable future by diverting off-cuts of plastic pipes from landfills and recycling them into new pipes.

PIPA Executive General Manager Cindy Bray said the key to a circular economy is designing products to last.

“One of the common plastics used for pipe production is PVC; thanks to its durability and long service life, typically more than 100 years, this material is found on all building sites today. Although most of the PVC goes into the buildings, there can be off-cuts that can be reused and reprocessed into new PVC pipes,” Ms Bray said.

“Overall, the process of producing, recycling, and reusing pipes have minimal environmental effects highlighting the never-ending benefits to implementing the Scheme. Plastic pipes are smart, efficient, and sustainable, providing long-lasting and reliable infrastructure both now and into the future.”

Participating Partners

• Master Plumbers’ Association Queensland (MPAQ) – www.mpaq.com.au
• Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia (PIPA) – www.pipa.com.au
• Iplex – www.iplex.com.au
• Reece – www.reece.com.au
• Tradelink – www.tradelink.com.au
• Vinidex – www.vinidex.com.au

Participating Locations

• Caboolture Hospital
• TAFE QLD – Toowoomba Campus
• TAFE Ashmore
• Tradelink Woolloongabba
• Tradelink Kunda Park
• Tradelink Burleigh Heads
• Tradelink North Lakes
• Prominence Pallara
• PICAC Beenleigh
• Bond Institute of Health and Sport
• Reece Labrador
• Reece Mansfield
• Reece Browns Plains
• Reece Enoggera

To find out more about the Construction Plastics Recycling Scheme and what can and cannot be recycled, visit www.mpaq.com.au/pvc.

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For more information:

Penny Cornah
Executive Director
Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland
penny.cornah@mpaq.com.au
0418 724 457 | 07 3273 0800

Cindy Bray
Executive General Manager
Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia
cindy.bray@pipa.com.au
0459 919 437