Advice on Recycling
There is a common misconception that PVC cannot be recycled. In the EU area alone we are recycling the best part of a million tonnes of PVC per year. This is mainly non-composite materials which are sourced from the construction industry including piping, window frames etc.
The problem with perforated vinyl is that the end of life product is a composite material, consisting of white/black PVC, inks and an adhesive layer.
In the UK Contra Vision is a partner of the FESPA UK Waste Management Accreditation Scheme, which encompasses self-adhesive plastics and siliconized liners. This initiative represents a major advancement in sustainable waste management within the graphics industry, and we are proud to support this initiative.
In other regions we are working with local experts to identify routes for perforated window film, please contact us if you are a large printer, OOH or transit company and want to be an industry leader in sustainability. We can work together to develop solutions in your local area.
Most paper is easy to recycle but silicone release liners used by the graphics industry are typically a problem. The paper is often impregnated with silicone and it is very difficult to separate the two materials. It should not enter standard paper recycling channels.
Contra Vision have two liner types, Universal and Replacement Liner. Due to the design of the Universal liner this cannot be recycled due to the adhesive between the two layers of paper, but the Replamcent Liner can be with other siliconized liners. This is also accepted through the FESPA scheme.
Contra Vision is keen to work with large printers, transit companies and OOH companies to collect, consolidate and identify local solutions for handing used paper liners. Please contact us if you are interested to become involved.
All our paper and cardboard material is sourced from certified sustainable forests or recycled pulp.
The boxes and cardboard cores for our perforated window film can all be recycled through standard paper/cardboard streams.
The end bungs for our rolls are made from PE plastic. Like PET plastics, this can be picked up by most curbside recycling companies alongside other PE containers such as milk jugs, household cleaner bottles, etc.
The packing stripes for the outside of the box are made from a mixture of PP and PET. This will be accepted by some curbside companies – please check.
Bubble wrap and Polythene bag: Some councils now offer a household collection for the recycling of bubble wrap alongside plastic film and carrier bags but this is still limited. Alternatively, bubble wrap can be recycled along with plastic film and carrier bags at collection points such as supermarkets.
