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Vinyl 2010
[last updated April 9, 2009 12:23 PM]
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General Information
Partnership website(s) |
Expected Timeframe 2002 - 2010 |
Partners
Governments:
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Major Groups:
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Other intergovernmental organizations:
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Other:
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Thematic Focus
Primary Themes:
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Secondary Themes:
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Geographic Coverage
Geographic Scope: Regional
Country(ies) where the partnership is being implemented: European Community |
National Focal Points
At present, no information is available as to whether the partnership has made contact with the national focal points for sustainable development in the relevant countries.
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Goals and Objectives
Summary of the partnership's goals and objectives
The Voluntary Commitment of the European PVC industry is a 10-year plan for sustainable development and product stewardship across the life cycle of PVC. It was set up in 2000 to minimise the environmental impact of the PVC production, promote responsible use of additives, support collection and recycling, and encourage social dialogue between all of the industry stakeholders. Vinyl 2010 is the legal entity set up to provide the organisational and financial infrastructure to manage and monitor the actions undertaken as part of the Voluntary Commitment. It groups European vinyl resin manufacturers, plastic converters and producers of stabilisers and plasticisers. The four founding members are: the European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers (ECVM), the European Plastics Converters (EuPC), the European Stabiliser Producers Associations (ESPA) and the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI).
Vinyl 2010 operates through projects covering technology, research, organisation (e.g. recycling schemes) and communication (e.g. on best practice). Total expenditure on waste management projects reached 8.2 million Euro in 2008 (more than 43 million Euro over the last 8 years) and the resource allocation in terms of time and effort is considerably greater.
As planned from the beginning, the Voluntary Commitment was reviewed and revised in 2006 to take into account practical experience, technical progress and the enlargement of the European Union , and it is now rolled-out across the EU-27.
Vinyl 2010 operates through projects covering technology, research, organisation (e.g. recycling schemes) and communication (e.g. on best practice). Total expenditure on waste management projects reached 8.2 million Euro in 2008 (more than 43 million Euro over the last 8 years) and the resource allocation in terms of time and effort is considerably greater.
As planned from the beginning, the Voluntary Commitment was reviewed and revised in 2006 to take into account practical experience, technical progress and the enlargement of the European Union , and it is now rolled-out across the EU-27.
Targets and Progress
Partnership targetsVinyl 2010 is a 10-year plan, based on a voluntary approach, with fixed targets and deadlines to improve production processes and products, invest in technology, minimise emissions and waste and boost collection and recycling.
PVC industry Voluntary Commitment: Manufacturing in General * Cut raw material and energy consumption where economically and ecologically warranted. * Review progress on an annual basis. PVC Resin Producers * Minimise environmental impact through compliance with the ECVM Industry Charters. Plasticiser Producers * Safe use of plasticisers, in line with EU risk assessments * Conduct material lifecycle analysis to identify additional possible improvements. Stabiliser Producers * Phase out cadmium stabilisers in the EU-15 by 2001. Following the European Union enlargement, this commitment was extended to the EU-25 (2006) and EU-27 (2007). Continue to work with the European Commission on targeted risk assessments * Continue to research and develop new stabilisers as an alternative to the widely used and highly effective lead-based systems. This is part of a commitment to replace lead stabilisers in all EU-27 Member States by 2015 (50% reduction target of use in the EU-15 by 2010) * Actively support an integrated waste management approach, to use raw materials efficiently and utilise sustainable options * Cooperation with stakeholders to research and implement the necessary recycling technologies to achieve this target * Development of additional mechanical and feedstock recycling technologies, to reach PVC post-consumer waste recycling additional 200,000 tonnes per year in Europe in 2010 (in addition to quantities already recycled in 2000 and coming from EU legislation on packaging, ELV and waste electrical and electronic equipment). |
Progress against targets* Reduction of environmental impact of the PVC manufacturing with compliance to ECVM Charters:
- Bisphenol A phased out of PVC production in all ECVM member companies (2001) - External verification of ECVM S-PVC and E-PVC production charters (2002 and 2005 respectively) and extension to the EU-27 (2008) - Publication of Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for S-PVC and E-PVC (2007) * Responsible use of chemicals (plasticisers and stabilisers): - Cadmium stabilisers phased-out in the EU-15 (2001), EU-25 (2006) and EU-27 (2007) - Risk assessment on lead stabilisers published (2005) - Phthalate risk assessments completed (2005-2006) and published (2006-2008) - Lead stabiliser phase-out in 2015 extended to the EU-25 (2006) and EU-27 (2007) - 50% reduction in lead stabiliser use in the EU-15 achieved two years ahead of time (2008) * Commitments on waste management (recycling to ultimate disposal) with projects covering technology, research, organisation (recycling schemes) and communication (best practice) - Achieved targets of recycling: 25% recycling of collectable, available PVC post-consumer waste from pipes, windows profiles and roofing membranes in 2003 - Achieved targets of recycling: 50% recycling of collectable, available PVC post-consumer waste from pipes and windows profiles in 2005 - Recycled tonnages increasing exponentially: from 14,255 in 2003 to 194,950 in 2008 * Project funding of 8.2 million Euro in 2008 (more than 43 million Euro over the last 8 years) * Yearly publication of Progress Reports verified and certificated by KPMG (for tonnages recycled and financial investments)and SGS (see http://www.vinyl2010.org) |
Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
- Education/building awareness
- Technology transfer/exchange
The industry associations ECVM, ECPI and ESPA together with the European Mine Chemical and Energy Workers Federation (EMCEF) agreed to set up a social dialogue on important issues for all involved partners. This dialogue is a permanent process between industry and unions, with regular meetings and consultations.
The dialogue includes the following issues:
* Development of European health, safety and environmental standards
* Employee training
* Transfer of standards to the new EU countries
* Dialogue on European Works Councils.
Vinyl 2010 has been working in partnership with local authorities within the Association of Communes and Regions for Recycling (ACR+) for the promotion of best-practices and pilot recycling schemes at local level. The project was called Appricod (http://www.appricod.org).
Relationship to International Agreements on Sustainable Development
How the partnership contributes to the implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
Vinyl 2010 approach is in line with the spirit of the Agenda 21 chapter 30 "Strengthening the role of business and industry".
Highlights of Vinyl 2010 approach:
* Social Responsibility - The issue of Corporate Social Responsibility is becoming more and more relevant in contemporary society. This is due to the fact that it is clearer in everyday experience at individual, business and societal levels that real, stable and long-term progress requires social sustainability in addition to economic growth. We believe Voluntary Commitments from industry are part of the Corporate Social Responsibility to make effective progress on sustainable development
* Cradle to grave approach - It is (to our knowledge) the only Voluntary Commitment involving the entire upstream and downstream chain from raw-material production to post-consumer waste in a single industry
* SME's contribution - With its 23,000 companies, Vinyl 2010 is a model for Corporate Governance aimed at Sustainable Development and Durable Consumption because it looks at the entire life cycle of a product and because it actively includes the Small and Medium Sized Enterprises.
* Transparency - Vinyl 2010 closely involves stakeholders and policy makers, with an independent Monitoring Committee, in the implementation of the Voluntary Commitment.
* EU enlargement - The Vinyl 2010 initiative takes on even further significant in the context of an enlarged EU with 27 member states. Rigid regulatory approaches are unlikely to be effective, as they cannot answer market diversities, local financial constraints or consumer's behaviour. VCs, by contrast, are an efficient way of transferring best practice to the East bypassing complex legislative process.
With reference also to the chapter V of JPOI Vinyl 2010 is cooperating with the EU new members and trade unions with the objective of raising health, safety, and environmental standards to higher levels and to harmonise sustainability goals. The aim of Vinyl 2010 was also to obtain a gradual enlargement of the Voluntary Commitment to the new EU Member States. Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
Highlights of Vinyl 2010 approach:
* Social Responsibility - The issue of Corporate Social Responsibility is becoming more and more relevant in contemporary society. This is due to the fact that it is clearer in everyday experience at individual, business and societal levels that real, stable and long-term progress requires social sustainability in addition to economic growth. We believe Voluntary Commitments from industry are part of the Corporate Social Responsibility to make effective progress on sustainable development
* Cradle to grave approach - It is (to our knowledge) the only Voluntary Commitment involving the entire upstream and downstream chain from raw-material production to post-consumer waste in a single industry
* SME's contribution - With its 23,000 companies, Vinyl 2010 is a model for Corporate Governance aimed at Sustainable Development and Durable Consumption because it looks at the entire life cycle of a product and because it actively includes the Small and Medium Sized Enterprises.
* Transparency - Vinyl 2010 closely involves stakeholders and policy makers, with an independent Monitoring Committee, in the implementation of the Voluntary Commitment.
* EU enlargement - The Vinyl 2010 initiative takes on even further significant in the context of an enlarged EU with 27 member states. Rigid regulatory approaches are unlikely to be effective, as they cannot answer market diversities, local financial constraints or consumer's behaviour. VCs, by contrast, are an efficient way of transferring best practice to the East bypassing complex legislative process.
With reference also to the chapter V of JPOI Vinyl 2010 is cooperating with the EU new members and trade unions with the objective of raising health, safety, and environmental standards to higher levels and to harmonise sustainability goals. The aim of Vinyl 2010 was also to obtain a gradual enlargement of the Voluntary Commitment to the new EU Member States. Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
Strengthening the role of business and industry
Relevant Sections of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation Sustainable development in a globalizing world ; Participation of major groups
Coordination and Implementation
Coordination Mechanism of the PartnershipVinyl 2010 is the legal entity set up to provide the organisational and financial infrastructure to manage and monitor the actions undertaken as part of the Voluntary Commitment. It groups European vinyl resin manufacturers, plastic converters and producers of stabilisers and plasticisers. The four founding members are: the European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers (ECVM), the European Plastics Converters (EuPC), the European Stabiliser Producers Associations (ESPA) and the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI).
Vinyl 2010 involves stakeholders and policy makers, with an independent Monitoring Committee to monitor implementation of the Voluntary Commitment. The Committee currently includes representatives from the European Parliament, the European Commission and trade unions and consumer associations. Vinyl 2010 hopes to enlarge representation and welcomes participation by environmental NGOs. |
Implementation Mechanism of the PartnershipVinyl 2010 operates through projects covering technology, research, organization (e.g. recycling schemes) and communication (e.g. on best practice). Total expenditure on waste management projects reached 8.2 million Euro in 2008 (more than 43 million Euro of investments over the last 8 years) and the resource allocation in terms of time and effort is considerably greater.
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Resources
Funding Currently AvailableAmount in US$: 6,150,000
Source(s): Private sector
Fund invested in 2008: 8.2 million Euro. Source: PVC industry through the four Associations: the European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers (ECVM) the European Plastics Converters (EuPC) the European Stabiliser Producers Associations (ESPA) the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI) |
Non-financial resources availableType(s): Computers - Office space - Staff
Source(s): Private sector
PVC industry through the four Associations: the European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers (ECVM) the European Plastics Converters (EuPC) the European Stabiliser Producers Associations (ESPA) the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI) |
Funding SoughtRequired Amount in US$:
Source(s) already approached:
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Non-financial resources soughtRequirement(s):
Source(s) approached and details:
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Additional Information
Additional Relevant Information
Part of Vinyl 2010’s role is to encourage a frank and open dialogue with stakeholders and contributions to the sustainable development debate. 2008 saw efforts to create new communications channels, focused on young people, coming to fruition.
During the year prizes were awarded in the first Essay Competition, addressed to European 18-30 year olds. This succeeded in attracting strong interest on Sustainable Development themes. Building on this success, a second Essay Competition was launched in October 2008, this time open to young people worldwide, on the theme ‘Faced with a food and energy crisis, how can society improve its well-being?’
(More on Vinyl 2010 Essay Competitions at http://www.vinyl2010essaycompetition.org and http://www.vinyl2010.org)
In 2008,Vinyl 2010 also launched the ‘Vinylgame’, an internet based interactive computer simulation which challenges players to develop a virtual PVC industry in a sustainable way. Available in 5 languages, the Vinylgame was awarded the Italian prize ‘Premio Aretę 2008’ for responsible communication.
For further information on Vinyl 2010, its commitment and achievements, please refer to the yearly Progress Report available on the website http://www.vinyl2010.org
During the year prizes were awarded in the first Essay Competition, addressed to European 18-30 year olds. This succeeded in attracting strong interest on Sustainable Development themes. Building on this success, a second Essay Competition was launched in October 2008, this time open to young people worldwide, on the theme ‘Faced with a food and energy crisis, how can society improve its well-being?’
(More on Vinyl 2010 Essay Competitions at http://www.vinyl2010essaycompetition.org and http://www.vinyl2010.org)
In 2008,Vinyl 2010 also launched the ‘Vinylgame’, an internet based interactive computer simulation which challenges players to develop a virtual PVC industry in a sustainable way. Available in 5 languages, the Vinylgame was awarded the Italian prize ‘Premio Aretę 2008’ for responsible communication.
For further information on Vinyl 2010, its commitment and achievements, please refer to the yearly Progress Report available on the website http://www.vinyl2010.org