You just replaced your old vinyl fence with a new one. Congratulations! But now you’re left with the old one. What do you do with it?
Vinyl fencing is a popular choice for homeowners and businesses alike because of its durability and low-maintenance properties. But what do you do when it’s time to replace it? Recycling is a great option, and in this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about recycling your vinyl fence.
What Is Vinyl Fencing?
Vinyl fencing is a popular option for homeowners because it’s affordable and durable. Vinyl fences are made of PVC, which is a type of plastic.
PVC doesn’t biodegrade, so when vinyl fences are old and outdated or damaged, they often end up in landfills.
But what happens when they end up in landfills? And what if you don’t want to just toss your old vinyl fence in the trash? Is it possible to recycle it?
Is It Safe to Discard Vinyl Fencing?
No! absolutely not.
Industrial waste cannot be disposed of in the trash in the majority of nations. Even leaving it by the side of the road is illegal.
If you want to get rid of your vinyl fencing, you can either ship it back to the manufacturer or take it to a recycling facility. However, you usually cannot dispose of it in your regular trash.
Additionally, it is advised against dumping the vinyl fencing in a dumpster. Vinyl is not biodegradable, it cannot be decomposed, thus this will spend generations in a landfill.
When vinyl can be easily recycled or repurposed, polluting the environment makes no sense. Reusing the fence, selling it, giving it away, or returning it to the maker are your best options.
Keep in mind that by returning the vinyl fencing to the manufacturer, less new vinyl needs to be produced, which lowers pollution. Consequently, you are assisting the environment.
The Recyclability of Vinyl Fencing
Your fence is made of vinyl because it is not only sustainable, but it’s also durable and weather-resistant and it’s a material that can be recycled 100%.
This makes vinyl an attractive choice for fencing. It can last for years without needing replacement, and it won’t rust or corrode as metal fences can.
When you’re ready to upgrade or replace your fence, recycling it is the responsible thing to do. There are several ways to recycle vinyl fencing.
You can take it to a recycling center, or you can call a company that specializes in recycling vinyl products.
Vinyl fencing recycling is now generally accepted by recycling facilities. However, they will need to segregate it and recycle it separately.
Nonetheless, because recycling vinyl is somewhat expensive, some of them might decide not to as it.
Either way, your fence will be melted down and reprocessed into new vinyl products.
How to Recycle Vinyl Fencing
It is possible to recycle your vinyl fence; in fact, there are a few ways to do it.
If your vinyl fence is made of PVC, you can recycle it at a local recycling center. Be sure to remove all of the metal posts and hardware, as they can damage the recycling machines.
If your vinyl fence is made of recycled vinyl, you can recycle it by either melting it down and reforming it into new products, or by using it as a fuel source.
In both cases, be sure to remove all of the metal posts and hardware, as they can damage the recycling machines.
The PVC Recycling Process
Recycling facilities frequently recycle vinyl into new fencing, as well as into other products like pipes, bottles, doors, insulation for electrical cables, music records, flooring, windows, imitation leather, signage, and many more.
Vinyl fencing wasted parts, damaged panels, and undesired ones should all be recycled because it has so many new uses.
There are two ways in which PVC can be recycled:
Mechanical Recycling
PVC is properly cleaned before being pulverized into tiny particles. The flotation separator is followed by drying the cleaned particles. After drying, these tiny particles are melted down and reshaped into a new item.
Chemical Recycling
Waste polymer is transformed into the original monomers or other valuable compounds in a process known as secondary recycling or feedstock recycling. The products are then used as fuel for vehicles or as raw materials for a range of other industrial activities.
Reusing Old Vinyl Fencing Components
If you want to get the most use out of your old vinyl fence, then you should consider reusing it before trying to recycle it. Even if some of the parts are broken down or damaged, it may still be possible to reuse some of the components.
For example, you might be able to salvage some of the boards and use them as a decorative feature around your garden or use them as edging for a pathway.
You can also take apart the vinyl fence and use most of the component parts – such as posts and rails – in other DIY projects around your home or garden.
Alternatively, you could donate the parts to local schools, libraries, or community gardens that need a little extra help with their landscaping projects.
Conclusion
The answer is yes, vinyl fences can be recycled. However, it’s important to note that the recycling process is not as simple as throwing the fence in the recycling bin.
There are a few things you need to do in order to recycle your vinyl fence.
First, you need to remove all of the metal components from the fence. This includes the screws, nails, and brackets.
Second, you need to break down the fence into smaller pieces. Once it is broken down, you can put it in a recycling bin.
It’s important to recycle your vinyl fence because it can be harmful to the environment if it’s not recycled. The vinyl fence can release harmful chemicals into the air and water.
Recycling the fence helps to reduce the number of chemicals that are released into the environment.
