HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) and PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) are two of the most common plastic composite building materials used in the construction industry. Focusing on these two materials, let’s dig deeper into the composition of these plastics and how to dispose of them at the end of the product life-cycle.

PVC– More Harmful Than You Might Think

PVC is one of the most common types of plastic produced in America and is most commonly used as a building material. In fact, about 75% of all vinyl produced is used for long-lasting building and construction applications like siding, pipes, wiring coverings and fencing. While there are numerous benefits of using PVC as a building material, there are numerous environmental and health disadvantages, especially in the disposal of this product.

Manufacturing Process

When burning or manufacturing Polyvinyl Chloride, dioxins are released into the air, which is a highly toxic compound that is harmful to humans and the environment. Another harmful outcome of the burning or manufacturing PVC is the production of Vinyl Chloride. This colorless gas is exposed through inhalation and has been linked to certain cancers including liver, brain and lung.   

Recycling PVC

Not only is this material harmful when it is manufactured, but disposal also has negative effects. One way to dispose of this material is to dump it into a landfill, which may be the most harmful disposal method because PVC isn’t biodegradable. Meaning, it keeps its original composition for hundreds of years and never breaks down, and oftentimes landfills will not accept PVC.

Since disposing of this material in a safe and efficient way is difficult, and due to the harmful effects on the environment and human health, many cities have created policies to reduce the use of PVC as a building material.

HDPE - The Environmentally-Friendly Building Material

Recycled HDPE is commonly used to make playground equipment, fencing, boardwalks and marine industry applications like fendering systems and substructure components. It is known for its strength, durability and weather and chemical resistance. HDPE can be used to produce the best green building materials - Wood Plastic Composite.

As a great alternative to traditional building materials like wood, metal and concrete, Wood Plastic Composite is an environmentally-friendly building material that is very durable. This material is seen in many commercial industries like marine, industrial, outdoor, agriculture and fencing, and can replace wood in many construction applications.

Manufacturing Process

The main material of HOSUNG (Shanghai) WPC Co., Ltd. WPC is natural wood powder (about 60%), by adding HDPE (about 30%) and necessary chemical additives. It’s extruded out from special moldings under high temperature and pressure, which is 100% recycled, eco-friendly, saving forest and petroleum resources, and do not contain the toxic chemicals often found in pressure-treated lumber, and are manufactured in a process that produces zero water waste.

Recycling HDPE

HDPE plastic lumber is not only manufactured using recycled material, but it is also recyclable. Unlike PVC, the performance and technical properties of HDPE are consistent with the original material; meaning that there is less chemical variation from additives during the manufacturing process. This makes the range of raw material narrower, and therefore easier to remove contaminants during the recycling process. Recycling HDPE using the mechanical recycling method is quite efficient and cost-effective.

During this recycling process, the material is sent through streams of water, which separate contaminants from the original material. Since HDPE material floats in water, and contaminants like glass, metal and paper do not float, it is easier to remove contaminants than PVC. It is also easier to recycle HDPE than PVC because PVC generally has fewer non-recyclable additives included during the manufacturing process, which is more difficult to remove and separate in the recycling process.

While PVC can be recycled, finding a recycling center that accepts PVC can be challenging, and it may end up costing more in time and resources than can be recovered. Instead, choose a building material that is better for the environment, and can easily be repurposed.

The Best Green Building Materials - Wood Plastic Composite

WPC is a sustainable material choice because it is made recycled wood and plastic and additives in different proportions. The use of wood plastic composites prevents the deforestation, saves forest and petroleum resources, promote plastic recycling and protect the environment.

HDPE plastic lumber is a dependable building material that can withstand extreme weather conditions like rain, snow and heat and cold. It is resistant to insects, mold, fungus and crustaceans and won’t splinter, mold or degrade. Paint and other chemicals will not adhere to this material because it is innately chemical-resistant, allowing plastic lumber to pivot and glide across the basketball court with ease and has an increased resilience over traditional wood. Impact energy is also deflected better than wood due to recoverable deflection. Plastic lumber is manufactured from recyclables and is recyclable itself, and helps keep millions of pounds of plastic out of landfills each year. Not only is it a tough building material, but it also helps protect and conserve Mother Nature.

No matter the building material, once it has reached the end of its life-cycle, it’s important to recycle the product. Instead of sending it to a landfill, where PVC will not degrade and isn’t biodegradable, using Wood Plastic Composite product that is easily recyclable and is safe for the environment is a great way to help conserve the environment and protect Mother Nature.

As the leading manufacturer of structural recycled plastic lumber, the best way that HOSUNG helps to preserve Mother Nature is by manufacturing environmentally-friendly building materials that doesn’t cause further damage to the environment and human health.