Polyvinyl chloride applications along with methods for managing its end-of-life items: A review

Owing to its unique blend of properties, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has become one of the most important polymers that have been used in everyday life for many years. Its short- and long-term applications span multiple key industries such as building, electrical/electronic insulation, packaging, and healthcare. These industries produce high volumes of PVC solid items that require responsible management when they reach their end-of-life because they are not biodegradable. Simple and affordable methods of diverting this waste from landfills would contribute positively towards combating environmental problems. However, many approaches have been reported in literature and there is a need to collate for easier comparison. For example, some alternative approaches are highly effective in transforming PVC waste into a range of valuable products but are still associated with secondary pollution. This overview covers different facets of virgin solid PVC (rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible), focusing mainly on its importance, global increase in use, and waste’s recyclability. In addition to the pros and cons of different recycling strategies, the influence of specific factors on the expanding PVC market is also considered albeit briefly. Notably, > 50 % of the world’s annual PVC production and utilization capacity is accounted for by PVC items meant for building applications; these items also drive the growth of the PVC recycling market.