The genesis and growth of the Revinylize Recycling Collaborative, an initiative founded by the Polymeric Exterior Products Association (PEPA), have always been dictated by S.M.A.R.T. goals[i]: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.
In 2025, the Revinylize team set a SMART goal based on their progress since the December 2023 launch: recycle 5 million pounds of post-consumer rigid vinyl.
Imagine the shock and overwhelming joy when the team discovered that:
- Revinylize reached the 5 million mark in June 2025; and,
- Revinylize recycled 30 million pounds of post-consumer rigid vinyl in 2025.
"We are ecstatic about the progress we made in 2025," said Matt Dobson, Senior Vice President of PEPA, who spearheads the association’s recycling program.
“We make no apologies for setting what we believed was a realistic goal based on past performance and periodic growth measurements. We are grateful to have so many strong partners in the field who helped make 2025 a success beyond our wildest dreams, and we are excited for the future.”
There are two explanations for this explosive growth of the Collaborative:
- The continued expansion and awareness generated from the 11 members that participated in the first full year (2024); and,
- The launch of new Revinylize markets in Nashville, St. Louis, Corsicana (TX) and Denver in 2025
Revinylize also recruited two new partners in 2025: verified recycler Direct Polymers (a Denver-based BRAVE Company with additional operations in Dallas) and general sponsor SMC Management in Boston.
A launch event in New Orleans in October 2025 to benefit the local Habitat for Humanity chapter helped raise national awareness of the Revinylize mission while laying the groundwork for The Big Easy to become a program member (Direct Polymers played an integral role in this effort).
And after considerable effort, Boston recently committed to becoming the 16th Revinylize market, which could drive market growth across the New England region.
Looking Ahead in 2026
With growing interest from both contractors in states where vinyl siding has a strong market presence as well as from suppliers of raw materials (to PEPA’s manufacturing members) who have developing interests in the recycling market, Revinylize is focused on recruiting more recyclers (along with collection sites as the second priority) so that the program is set up for success when opening new markets and serving additional stakeholders.
The team’s next set of goals has been established, with approval by the PEPA Board of Directors and consultation with the Vinyl Sustainability Council (a Revinylize sponsor), to align recycling goals. They are:
- Divert 50 million lbs. per year in 2028 (by year-end) of post-consumer rigid vinyl away from the landfills and into the recycling stream; and,
- Recycle 150 million lbs. of post-consumer rigid vinyl per year in 2036 (by year-end).
What’s Next for Revinylize?
The Revinylize team is also exploring the availability of PVC pipe, decking and other polymeric exterior building materials for recycling that could fit the current model. The recycling and “R&D” objectives are part of an overall strategy for the program to build on the mission’s fast growth to date.
To learn more about introducing the Revinylize Recycling Collaborative in your community, contact Matt Dobson.
[1] Created by business consultant George T. Doran (https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/-/media/Project/Websites/mdhhs/Assistance-Programs/Childrens-Special-Health-Care-Services/Bullying-Prevention-Initaitive/SMART-Goals-Information-Packet.pdf?rev=dae4094a09b04468a82d65925e702c85#:~:text=SMART%20goals%20are%20a%20relatively,Write%20Management's%20Goals%20and%20Objectives.%E2%80%9D)
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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.