PROJECT HISTORY
The challenge
Resiloop aims to boost PVC recycling in Australia, especially from resilient flooring waste, addressing the challenge of low recycling rates.
Resiloop product stewardship scheme
Closing the loop on vinyl flooring waste with Resiloop
The solution
Arcadis reviewed PVC and vinyl recycling technologies and ran a recycling trial with local businesses to enhance sustainability practices.
The Impact
This product stewardship scheme may ultimately support the diversion of 60,000 tonnes of waste from landfill.
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Prior to this product stewardship scheme, the recycling rate for resilient flooring was very low.
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‘Manufacture ready’ input materials from recycled flooring waste
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Products ready for retail from recycled flooring waste
The challenge
Resiloop is a world-first product stewardship scheme with significant industry buy-in that is increasing the recycling rate for resilient flooring waste (including vinyl, rubber, cork and linoleum).
As a critical enabler of the scheme, Arcadis was commissioned by the Australian Resilient Flooring Association (ARFA) to identify difficulties and overcome obstacles preventing resilient flooring from being recycled, such as high recycling costs and limited domestic manufacturing capacity, while exploring the opportunities to create a sustainable recycling loop within Australia. The project included facilitation of recycling trials with local businesses specialising in micronising, compounding, extruding and moulding plastic.
The solution
In Australia, resilient flooring (like vinyl or linoleum) significantly contributes to material waste. Every year, 60,000 tonnes of this flooring ends up in landfill, including 9,000 tonnes of offcuts that are brand new or never used. With this, Arcadis assessed and engaged nationwide stakeholders to identify applications for resilient flooring waste. This saw Arcadis collaborate with innovative and resourceful manufacturers of plastic products.
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Transitioning from a linear economy to a circular economy is not something that can be achieved overnight. It requires major changes across the entire supply chain and will need every human on the planet to change how they consume resources. Rather than be intimidated by the challenge, we need to break it down into discrete tasks that can be delivered over time. Arcadis applauds the Australian Resilient Flooring Association’s efforts to increase circularity within their sector and encourages all peak bodies, organisations and governments to do the same.
The impact
Through various trials and investigations, the project demonstrated that recycled vinyl can be effectively combined with virgin PVC or other rigid PVC waste streams to create high-quality products like flooring profiles, garden edging, fencing posts, and moulded trays. Traditionally, these products use virgin PVC and other polymers, but they can now be made with recycled materials to promote environmental responsibility. This aligns with industry standards and lifecycle assessments, ensuring the products meet high-quality benchmarks.
ARFA aims to reduce costs by involving installers or retailers in the collection process and exploring transport efficiencies. This will bring economic benefits by reducing waste costs and material costs, as well as enhancing the appeal of recycled content products, which are increasingly in demand due to sustainable procurement commitments from both government and private sectors.
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