This cute little video explains why PVC is something you might want to avoid, as well as how to identify it in things you are buying.
PVC Recycling and Disposal
The video does say that PVC can't be recycled, however, there is some debate about this.
There is an organization in Europe which is encouraging the recycling of PVC. vinyl2010.org is a partner of the UN, and is working to get PVC recycled more in Europe.
Meanwhile, the Vinyl Council of Canada claims that "Vinyl can, and is being recycled".
On the flip side, an article last February in Eye Weekly discussed PVC in relation to Toronto.
In the article, Toronto councillor Gord Perks said "It’s not really a recyclable plastic...So, you’re left with putting it in the landfill or burning it".
The article also quotes Toronto’s Solid-Waste general manager Geoff Rathbone:
“Even a tiny amount of PVC causes a very serious contamination in our PET recycling program,” says Rathbone. One PVC bottle in the PET load can result in the rejection of an entire load, which would then have to be brought back and re-sorted. The estimated cost of re-handling that one load is about $5,000, he says. “It doesn’t happen that often, but certainly we encourage manufacturers to continue to move out of PVC primarily for that reason.”
Regardless of whether PVC is actually being recycled, there have been some recorded concerns about the health effects of chemicals in PVC, and there have been efforts made to get it out of the home environment.
The David Suzuki foundation notes that PVC can leach chemicals and should be avoided in the microwave:
Usually found in food wraps, food-oil bottles, teething rings, pets’ toys, and blister packaging. PVC can leach toxins throughout its entire lifecycle. Avoid using PVC in the microwave (use glass or microwave-safe crockery instead).
You can also download this handy guide (PDF) on how to identify most plastics and what to do with them.
