By Don Browne
The Polymeric Exterior Products Association (PEPA) has been working hard this past year on new architectural coursework that takes a deep dive into the science of polymeric exteriors and how they can be game changers for any home project. There are focus areas on the durability and flexibility of the projects, as well as the aesthetic opportunities, including color varieties and emulated styles and the multiple sustainable benefits – including recyclability (where recycling exists).
Since sustainability is important to architects, even if it’s just for compliance with developing building regulations, then the recyclability of materials should be, too. The recycling benefits of vinyl siding start at the manufacturing process, and now, vinyl siding has the potential to be recycled in higher volumes at the end of its performance life to be reground and made into beautiful new products. This is thanks in part to the launch of the Revinylize Recycling Collaborative.
Revinylize is the first North American effort to create a standardized siding collection network. Revinylize works with a simple four-step process:
So why should architects and designers care about vinyl siding? The answer is threefold.
First, leading national green building programs offer additional green credits for products made from recycled materials – especially vinyl siding. Second, for every 10% of recycled content used in new product, a 5% reduction in carbon footprint is realized.
Ultimately, the goal of Revinylize is to scale up so that recycling vinyl siding and other polymeric building materials becomes as routine as recycling aluminum or steel. This would mean that 300 million pounds of available post-consumer rigid vinyl could be diverted from landfills and recycled annually to make tomorrow’s homes and communities more sustainable.
PEPA’s new educational initiative for architects is being spearheaded by award-winning designer and New Urbanism advocate Fernando Pagés Ruiz. Fernando is one of many architects and designers who promote New Urbanism principles.
To enroll for this course, contact Alex Fernandez, PEPA’s Vice President, Government Affairs and Advocacy, at afernandez@polymericexteriors.org. To learn about current PEPA course offerings for AIA credits, check out the article, "Fire Resistance Advantages of Polymeric Exteriors," in this newsletter.
Finally, to learn more about the Revinylize Recycling Collaborative and how you can promote this special PEPA mission, contact Matt Dobson, PEPA’s Senior Vice President, at mdobson@polymericexteriors.org.
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Don Browne is a writer, entrepreneur and local legislator who believes that the power of words can change the world. He provides unique writing services for clients in the construction, health care, IT and hospitality sectors. He has a passion for small business and start-ups, as well as writing about Irish history, family and corporate biographies. As a homeowner and father of four who is passionate about community development, Don looks forward to writing more about the exciting possibilities of creating traditional neighborhoods and more sustainable communities using modern materials.