1. PVC Pipe Is Recyclable
© PPFA 2008

2. PVC pipe being added to grinder for recycling
Polyvinylchloride (PVC) is a thermoplastic material that is used to produce plastic pipe for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Since most thermoplastics can be ground, melted and reformed, in-house recycling of plastic pipes is a common industry practice. This series of photos shows a typical process to reprocess pre-consumer scrap PVC pipe.

3. Reground PVC pipe exiting machine

4. PVC Regrind
Pipes are simply ground to a size suitable for feeding the plant equipment.

5. In some applications the regrind material is made into a finer powder.
Finished PVC Regrind
In some applications the regrind material is made into a finer powder.

6. Regrind PVC entering pipe extruder
The regrind material is added back to the process.

7. Finished pipe made with regrind material is printed (roll marked), cut to size and ready for a final inspection
Photos Courtesy of Charlotte Pipe & Foundry and Silver Line Plastics