Vinyl Sustainability Council recognizes Lakeland Polymers

The Washington-based Vinyl Sustainability Council (VSC), a business council advancing sustainability in the vinyl industry, has presented its 2021 Recycling Award to Lakeland Polymers, a plastics recycler in Boonton, New Jersey. The company was recognized for its Flex-Tech Gas Hose Recycling Program.

"Lakeland's innovative reprocessing strategy allows them to turn scrap from two different types of plastic into a reusable feedstock for alternative applications," says Jay Thomas, executive director of the VSC. "This type of product innovation keeps polyvinyl chloride (PVC) out of the landfill."

According to a news release from the council, the award recognizes the efforts of North American recyclers and manufacturers that find solutions and markets for PVC end-of-life or scrap materials. Companies also are recognized if they find ways to increase recycled vinyl content in products or engage in partnerships with companies in take-back programs.

In February, Lakeland Polymers partnered with Flex-Tech Hose of San Marcos, Texas, to find a solution to a PVC and copolyester scrap issue. Lakeland developed a custom recycling process that allowed the incompatible materials in the scrap to be processed into a reusable form.

"Our experience in recycling PVC scrap materials gives us the ability to develop solutions to reclaim hard to recycle items,” says David Maute, co-owner of Lakeland Polymers. “This project was another step for us to help minimize waste and further our sustainability efforts for our customers and suppliers."

Lakeland says it processes more than 45,000 pounds per month of PVC scrap material from Flex-Tech in this program. So far, the partnership has diverted more than 325,000 pounds of PVC from landfills extending the life and sustainable use of vinyl.