WasteCap Wisconsin honors vinyl siding scrap recycling program.

WasteCap Wisconsin, a nonprofit organization that provides waste handling, reduction and recycling assistance to businesses, has bestowed its Innovative Achievement Award to the Vinyl Institute (VI) in recognition of its role in implementing a vinyl siding scrap recycling program in Wisconsin.

Recognized for "outstanding efforts and success in market development," WasteCap Wisconsin referred to VI as "a pioneer in researching the possibilities for vinyl scrap and is emerging as a leader in developing a market for this important and widely used material."

Beginning in 2005, VI partnered with WasteCap Wisconsin, Veridian Homes (winner of this year's WasteCap Partnership Award), Waste Management Recycle America, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to test different methods, address challenges and assess the long-term viability of recycling vinyl siding scrap from new home construction in Milwaukee and Madison, Wis. VI provided funding and assisted in the planning, development and expansion of the WasteCap Wisconsin program.

As of June 2006, 100,000 pounds of scrap vinyl siding had been recycled from 630 new homes. The goal is to develop a standard process for contractors and builders across Wisconsin to follow to recycle vinyl siding waste from new home construction is on its way to being met, according to VI. The project's long-term objective is to apply the process across the 30,300 homes built annually in Wisconsin and to collect the majority of the 2.5 million pounds of vinyl siding scrap generated in the construction of these homes. The program will continue this year.

For more than a decade, VI has supported research and pilot programs to promote vinyl and plastics recycling, and has led development of automated technology that large-scale recycling operations can use to efficiently separate different plastics from each other. VI maintains a directory of vinyl recyclers in North America, and VI's recycling expert Peter Lindabery provides technical, operational and marketing assistance to recycling companies.

For more information on VI'S recycling program, please visit www.vinylinfo.com/recycling.

Based in Milwaukee, WasteCap Wisconsin's mission is to provide waste reduction and recycling assistance through business-to-business peer exchange, demonstration and education for the benefit of businesses and the environment. Services are made possible by the support of sponsorships, grants and memberships.

Founded in 1982, the Vinyl Institute is a national, independent trade association representing the leading manufacturers of vinyl plastics, as well as makers of vinyl feedstocks, additives and film and sheet products.