Fate of PVC polymer, plasticizers, and stabilizers in landfilled waste

Abstract End‐of‐life PVC products are predominantly disposed of with construction waste or with municipal solid waste in sanitary landfills. This waste management option is currently subject to debate because of environmental issues. A material and substance flow analysis was conducted to estimate the quantitative relevance of PVC products and their constituents in municipal solid waste. Landfill simulation assays demonstrated the long‐term behavior of PVC products and the fate of additives under landfill conditions. The PVC polymer was found to be stable. A loss of plasticizers may occur in case of insufficient compatibility with the PVC compound coupled with microbial consumption at the PVC product surface. Losses of stabilizers are generally restricted to transient leaching from the product surface. Plasticized products show a somewhat stronger inclination to release their stabilizers. The findings indicated that additional measures specifically directed at post‐consumer PVC waste in landfills are not necessary.