In today’s modern world, we are constantly surrounded by different types of plastic. It’s in our toys, our appliances, our cars, and even in our homes. According to Statista, the global annual PVC production was 44.3 million metric tons in 2018, which is expected to exceed 60 million metric tons up till 2025. These figures depict the popularity of PVC. But what is this mysterious material that has taken over so many aspects of our lives?
In this blog post, I will tell you all about PVC; some of its benefits and drawbacks, its sustainability, its recycling process, and its alternative.
What is PVC?
PVC stands for Polyvinyl chloride. It is a type of plastic that has myriad applications. It is strong and durable, making it ideal for construction purposes such as piping and siding. Moreover, it is also used in medical devices, single-use plastics, and packaging.
The main component of PVC is vinyl chloride, a colorless gas that is produced by combining chlorine and ethylene. This gas is then combined with other chemicals to produce PVC pellets. These pellets are then turned into PVC products via a process called extrusion.
Extrusion is a manufacturing process in which the PVC pellets are melted and formed into the desired shape. The molten PVC is then pushed through a die, which gives it the desired shape. After that, it is cooled and cut to the desired length.
What are the applications of PVC?
PVC is a magical material with a variety of applications. Some of these applications are:
Construction
PVC is commonly used in the construction industry due to its durability and weather resistance. It is often used in plumbing and electrical wiring as it does not corrode. Moreover, it is also used in siding, windows, and doors. There are countless products/items in which PVC is being used. You name a product, it has some amount of PVC in it.
Medical
Most of the medical items and devices such as blood bags, tubing, syringes, and IV solutions are made of PVC. The good thing about PVC is that it is inert and does not react with other chemicals. Moreover, it is also flexible and can be made into different shapes.
Packaging
Packaging is another area where PVC is used extensively. It is often used in food packaging as it is strong and does not tear easily. Moreover, it is also moisture resistant, which makes it ideal for packaging products that are sensitive to moisture. Shopping bags, raincoats, and food wrappers are some examples of items that are made from PVC.
Cards
Cards are an essential part of our lives. Be it an ATM card, a credit card, a hotel key card, or a gift card, we all use them often. Before plastic, these cards were made with other materials like paper, but now PVC has replaced them. The reason for this is that PVC is strong and does not tear easily. The good thing about PVC cards is that they are flexible and can be made into different shapes and sizes.
Single-use plastics
One of the wide applications of PVC is in single-use plastics. Items such as straws, plastic wrap, disposable crockery, and food packaging are made from PVC. These single-use plastics have gained popularity all over the globe as they are cheap and convenient.
Entertainment
How it is possible that we talk about entertainment and not mention PVC? PVC is widely used in the entertainment industry. It is often used in the making of indoor and outdoor toys, as well as inflatable products. Inflatable products such as air mattresses and swimming pools are made from PVC. Moreover, the majority of toddlers’ toys are made up of PVC.
Electronics
PVC is also used in the electrical and electronics industry. The reason for this is that it is a good insulator and does not conduct electricity. Moreover, it can be turned into desired shapes easily. PVC is often used in the making of electrical wiring and cables. Moreover, it is also used in computer casings and mobile phone covers.
These are some of the many applications of PVC. Besides the applications that have been mentioned above, there are many other areas where PVC is used. Now let’s move on to its advantages and drawbacks.
What are the advantages of PVC?
There are countless advantages of polyvinyl chloride that have made it one of the most popular materials. Some of these advantages are:
- Strong and durable – PVC products are strong and can last for a long time. They are not easily damaged and can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
- Lightweight – It is lightweight and can be easily carried from one place to another. It is lighter than other materials such as wood and metals.
- Weather-resistant – PVC is resistant to weather conditions such as sunlight, rain, and snow. This makes it an ideal material for outdoor applications.
- Cheap – The good thing about PVC is that it is quite cheap as compared to other materials. Moreover, the raw material used for the making of PVC is readily available.
- Inert – It is an inert material and does not react with other chemicals. This makes it safe to use.
- Easy to clean – It is easy to clean and does not require much maintenance.
What are the disadvantages of PVC?
Nothing is perfect and PVC also has some disadvantages that should be considered before using it. Some of these disadvantages are:
- Harmful to the environment – The manufacturing process of PVC releases harmful chemicals into the environment. These chemicals can pollute the air and water. Moreover, they can also have a negative impact on wildlife.
- Non-biodegradable – PVC products are not biodegradable and can last for centuries. This means that they will add to the growing problem of environmental pollution.
- Difficult to recycle – It is difficult to recycle PVC products as they are made up of complex chemicals. Moreover, there are not many recycling facilities for PVC.
These are some of the advantages and disadvantages of PVC. You should consider these factors before using PVC products. Now let’s move on to some other aspects of PVC i.e. its biodegradability.
Is PVC biodegradable and why?
PVC is made from petroleum and natural gas, which are non-renewable resources. It can take 100 – 1000 years for PVC to break down in the environment, and it releases harmful chemicals into the air and water as it does so. PVC is not biodegradable, and it is a major source of environmental pollution.
The main reason for its non-biodegradability is the presence of chlorine in it. Chlorine is a highly corrosive element, and it prevents PVC from breaking down. Moreover, plastic is a man-made material, and it does not occur naturally in the environment. This also makes it difficult for PVC to break down.
The degradation of PVC highly depends on the type of PVC and the environmental conditions. The sunlight, moisture, and oxygen can speed up the degradation process. But unfortunately, even under the best conditions, it can take centuries for PVC to degrade completely. Most of the plastic waste is dumped into landfills, where it can rest for centuries.
Is PVC sustainable and why?
The term sustainable means meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
There are a number of ways to assess the sustainability of PVC: environmental impact, human health impacts, energy use and emissions, recycling, and disposal.
Environmental Impact
The carbon footprint of PVC is higher than that of other plastics. The production of 1 kg PVC releases 67 Kg of harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change. Moreover, PVC is not biodegradable, and it can last for centuries in the environment, contaminating land and oceans. This means that it will add to the growing problem of environmental pollution.
Human Health Impacts
Plastic production and incineration release dioxins, which are among the most toxic chemicals known to science. Dioxins cause cancer, and reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, and interfere with hormones.
PVC is also a major source of phthalates, which are linked to a range of health problems including cancer, reproductive and developmental impacts, and damage to the liver, kidney, and lungs. Moreover, PVC products can also contain lead and other heavy metals, which can cause learning disabilities and other health problems.
Energy Use and Emissions
PVC production is highly energy-intensive and results in a significant release of greenhouse gases. A huge amount of water, electricity, and fuel for transportation is required for PVC production.
Recycling and Disposal
PVC is difficult to recycle, as it is made up of complex chemicals. Moreover, there are not many recycling facilities for PVC. This means that most of the PVC products end up in landfill sites, where they can last for centuries.
All of these factors considered, it is clear that PVC is not a sustainable material. It has a high environmental impact and is harmful to human health. It is also difficult to recycle, making it a major contributor to environmental pollution. Moreover, the raw material is fossil fuels, which are non-renewable resources. For all these reasons, PVC is not a sustainable material.
Now we know that PVC is not sustainable as it has negative impacts on our environment so what should we use instead of PVC?
What is the best alternative to PVC?
When it comes to alternatives to PVC, there are many options depending on the need of the product. For example, if you need a water pipe, you can use metal pipes or clay pipes. If you need wire insulation, you can use silicone rubber. There are also many biodegradable plastics i.e. PLA and PHAs that can be used as alternatives to PVC. All of these alternatives have some shortcomings, but there is one material that is the best alternative to PVC and that is BioPVC.
BioPVC is a revolutionary material developed by the researchers of Nexqo. It is 100% biodegradable in landfill conditions and does not release harmful chemicals into the environment. Moreover, it is easy to recycle and can be used for a wide range of products.
So, if you are looking for a sustainable alternative to PVC, BioPVC is the best option.
Conclusion
Although PVC is a widely used material, it is not sustainable because of its high environmental impact and human health risks. There are many alternatives to PVC, but BioPVC is the best option as it is biodegradable and easy to recycle. So if you are looking for a sustainable alternative to PVC, BioPVC is the best option. For more information about BioPVC and other eco-friendly materials contact us. We will be more than happy to help you.
FAQs about PVC and BioPVC
What is the chemical composition of BioPVC?
The chemical composition of BioPVC is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and oxo biodegradation additives. In BioPVC 97% is PVC while 3% is oxo biodegradation additives. These additives catalyst the degradation process of 97% PVC.
What is the degradation time for the BioPVC?
The degradation time for BioPVC is around 2 years. The time may vary depending on the conditions like temperature, humidity, and presence of microorganisms.
How can I dispose of the BioPVC?
You can cut them into pieces and dispose of the BioPVC in your regular bin. It will degrade in landfill conditions and will not release any harmful chemicals.
What are the uses of BioPVC?
BioPVC can be used for a wide range of products like regular PVC, cards, packaging, etc.