The Future of Recycled Vinyl Chloride - Steps Toward Sustainable Recycling from 2003 to 2025

The Future of Recycled Vinyl Chloride - Steps Toward Sustainable Recycling from 2003 to 2025

In the early 2000s, vinyl chloride (PVC) recycling in Japan was making progress, especially in the construction industry. In 2003, a plan to increase the recycling ratio to 50% was announced, with the aim of establishing a sustainable resource cycle. While local governments and industry associations collaborated to develop and disseminate the technology, many issues remained in the development of the recycling infrastructure.

Subsequently, the expansion of the Internet-based waste trading market in Japan accelerated the conversion of plastics, including PVC, into resources, and from the late 2000s through the 2010s, companies took the initiative in establishing a system for the proper collection and separation of PVC products. Particular emphasis was placed on the reuse of vinyl chloride used as building and plumbing materials, and technological innovation led to the reduction of waste and environmental impact.

In the 2020s, Japan's vinyl chloride cycle developed further. The collection and recycling of used vinyl chloride pipes and fittings was promoted, and a stable acceptance system was established, with approximately 20,000 tons being recycled in FY2022. As a result, the recycling of PVC products has been further established. In the agricultural sector, recycling of agricultural vinyl film (agricultural vinyl) has also been actively promoted, with the recycling rate reaching over 70% in the 2020s. As a result of years of technological innovation and policy support, a higher level of resource recycling of these plastic products is now in place.

In addition, the total amount of waste plastic generated in Japan as a whole reached approximately 8.23 million tons in 2022, of which 87% was effectively utilized. The ratio of recycling is steadily increasing, with material recycling at 22% (about 1.8 million tons), chemical recycling at 3% (about 280,000 tons), and thermal recycling at 62% (about 5.1 million tons). However, there is still a high reliance on thermal recycling (heat recovery), and there is a need to increase the ratio of material recycling (material reuse) in the future.

For the development of recycling technology, active participation of companies is indispensable. The Japan Vinyl Chloride Pipe and Fittings Association (JVCPA) has established nationwide acceptance offices since 1998, and has built a foundation for stable recycling. Many companies are contributing to the development and diffusion of recycling technology, such as FPCO, which promotes the recycling of food trays, and Kyoei Sangyo, which recycles used PET bottles and supplies high-quality recycled PET resin.

Although Japan's vinyl chloride cycle is at a high level by global standards, many challenges remain to be overcome in order to further increase the efficiency of recycling. Through innovations in recycling technology, a more efficient system for reusing PVC must be established to achieve a more sustainable resource cycle. In addition, it is necessary to aim to secure purer recycled materials by promoting thorough separation and collection. Strengthening cooperation among companies and establishing a sustainable recycling network will also be an important factor in realizing a resource-recycling society in Japan.

In the Nordic countries, moves are underway to achieve both energy recovery and recycling through the development of thermal energy supply infrastructure. Japan is also considering the introduction of similar technology, and measures to further reduce environmental impact while expanding the reuse of PVC are required.

The goal of 50% PVC recycling ratio set in 2003 has been steadily progressing over the past 20 years. Now that technological innovation and policy support are changing the nature of resource recycling, the future of the vinyl chloride cycle is moving in a more sustainable direction.