A window to the future

In an increasingly 'eco-aware' world, more and more homeowners want to know what will become of their old PVC-U windows when they have new ones fitted.

What do you tell them?

Thousands of installers and fabricators working with VEKA Recycling are able to tell their customers with complete confidence that their windows will be recycled within a technically advanced, closed-loop process and turned right back into high quality windows.

Simon Scholes of VEKA Recycling explains: The problem we have encountered time and time again, is that many fabricators and installers don't realise just how easy it is to recycle.

“VEKA Recycling accepts all types of PVC-U frames regardless of their original manufacturer. We may have the VEKA name above the door, but we take material from all fabricators and profile users.

“Our organisation offers an attractive alternative to landfill which is simple and convenient and our service is designed to make recycling accessible to all companies, without creating a lot of tiresome sorting chores. We provide a bin into which any type of PVC-U can be thrown; old or new, complete with gaskets, handles and reinforcements but less the glass, then we simply collect it from your premises when it is full. Not only is this ethically and environmentally rewarding, it also makes good financial sense. It avoids the substantial cost of landfill while helping you attract greater numbers of customers with a 'green conscience'.

“To make things even easier, we don't even expect you to separate the profile colours.”

Environmental issues become increasingly prominent by the day, so to offer this ethical disposal of old frames gives any company an impressive sales edge over the competition.

Another way in which recycling could help secure new business, is by providing you with a sought-after product: VEKA plc recently unveiled the 'Infinity' suite of profiles which contains up to 80% recycled material within a shell of virgin polymer.

Recycled PVC-U products have had a travelled a rocky road to the limelight, with many people seeming unaware of the high quality of these recycled products.

VEKA Recycling is keen to promote recycled windows throughout the UK, in an effort to increase demand for these eco-friendly systems within the British market.

Currently, many of VEKA Recycling's products are quickly absorbed into the German Housing market, which is much more receptive to recycled material than the UK. But, happily, this is beginning to change...

A Network VEKA member has now fitted the first recycled PVC-U window into a private house in the UK. The eco-minded homeowners said they would never have considered PVC-U for their home if the installer had not told them about the Infinity system.

Network VEKA MD John Ogilvie explains: “This installation is a perfect example of how companies need to have the best possible tools to promote themselves; whether its through marketing materials or industry-leading products such as the new recycled profile. Our member, KJM was able to secure this installation by providing the eco-friendly home improvements the owner desired and because the company was properly informed, they were able to explain that PVC-U is actually one of the most sustainable materials in the industry - thanks to its long lifespan, low maintenance and ability to be continually recycled.

The windows were installed with the help of snooker legend Steve Davis, who is currently fronting a DVD for Network VEKA, promoting the recycling concept to homeowners.

In another recycling first, VEKA customer, Glazerite, has achieved a ground-breaking agreement with Luton Borough Council to switch entirely to recycled PVC-U for all future window replacements.
VEKA Sales & Marketing Director Colin Torley said: “Luton has shown great foresight in committing to this choice but I am sure many more will follow its example.
“VEKA's Infinity profile is based on a unique co-extrusion process with a core of high-purity recycled PVC-U locked inside a thin coat of virgin polymer for colour-stability. With up to 80% recycled material, it uses less than a quarter of the natural resources, such as oil and salt, and has only a third the carbon footprint of its conventional equivalents. All the recycled material comes from VEKA’s own purpose-built plant, one of few in the world capable of recycling PVC-U pure enough to be put straight back into windows.

“One major factor we are keen to point out is that there is no price disparity between the recycled profile and virgin. This makes the Infinity System just as accessible to all our customers as our other quality profile systems.”
 

In a box or bubble

Did you know?

The average PVC-U window has a lifespan of around 40 years and can be recycled up to ten times - that's a window with a 400 year lifespan!

Did you know?

VEKA Umwelttechnik GmbH can recycle 50,000 tonnes of PVC-U windows a year - all to a level of purity that can be made directly into new windows.