The GreenBuilding Council of Australia recognises environmental advances by Australian PVC manufacturers.

 

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has a set of building rating tools known as Green Star which has achieved widespread acceptance by developers and governments to assess and rate the environmental performance of buildings. These tools were introduced in 2003 with a PVC minimisation clause that awarded points for reducing the value of PVC products used in building.

In late 2007, the GBCA commenced a stakeholder engagement process to review the PVC minimisation credit. In 2009 the GBCA established an Expert Reference Panel to systematically review Australian and international information relating to the PVC life cycle. The review released in January 2010, is detailed in the GBCA report “Literature Review and Best Practice Guidelines for the Life Cycle of PVC Building Products”. The review included input from some 40 Australian and international organisations and authors, including such bodies as the US Green Building Council, Environment Australia, State and Federal government environment departments, the European Commission and the World Health Organisation.

 The report found that significant achievements had been made within the PVC industry in Australia in recent years.

 "A rigorous PVC literature review revealed that where international opposition to PVC remained it was based on historical industry practices which had led to unacceptable health risks and/or environmental impacts. These concerns did not take into account the significant achievements within the PVC industry in recent years, particularly in Australia and Europe, to reduce the environmental and human health risks previously associated with PVC building materials. In addition, these concerns did not reflect the findings of independent scientific assessments, as well as comparative risk and impact studies, between PVC and non-PVC alternative materials.”1

The PVC literature review found that, while there are still some challenges to be addressed, PVC performs as well as, or better than, the alternatives in most product categories. Furthermore, it found that environmental and human health risks associated with PVC can be minimised by using best practices in the manufacturing and end-of-life management phases of the PVC life cycle.1

 

Changes to Green Star for PVC

In April 2010, the GBCA introduced the new PVC credit to all the Green Star tools which effectively:

  • Removed the minimisation approach. PVC in general will not be penalised when used in projects in recognition of the fact that "PVC performs as well as, or better than, the alternatives in most product categories" 1 - this is definitely the case for PVC pipe.
  • Adopts a new approach which rewards the use of “best practice” PVC.  The new credit encourages the use of independently verified "best practice" PVC products with the potential award of up to two additional credit points where such products are used.

i. One additional credit point where 60% of PVC products (by cost) complies with the independently verified Best Practice Guidelines for PVC in Built Environment

ii. Two additional credit points where 90% of PVC products comply.

For more information on the Green Building Council of Australia changes, see www.gbca.org.au

1. GBCA “Background and Outcomes of the Green Star PVC Minimisation Credit Review”

 

Best Practice PVC Pipe in the Australian Built Environment – Vinidex PVC pipe ticks the boxes

The Best Practice Guidelines for PVC in the Built Environment have been developed by the GBCA. The guidelines cover the environmental impacts and health risks associated with the manufacture and end life management of PVC products used in buildings. They include strict minimum compliance requirements for PVC supply chain constituents, PVC resin production, PVC product manufacture and end of life management – recycling.

The Australian Standards that cover PVC pipe and fittings are being amended to incorporate the GBCA Best Environmental Practice requirements. A number of amended standards have already been published.

GBCA are preparing a verification guidance document which, once published, will enable independent audit and verification of compliance. In the interim, the GBCA allows compliance to be demonstrated by a written declaration which Vinidex can provide on a project by project basis.

 Vinidex pipe and fittings products that comply with the GBCA Best Environmental Practice requirements are available now.

 

Some facts about Vinidex PVC pipe and fittings:

  • Vinidex PVC pipe is rigid and has no plasticisers, so no phthalates in PVC pipe.
  • Much of Australia's PVC raw materials are already sourced from non mercury based production.
  • The GBCA best practice guidelines will require independent certification of these sources.
  • Australian PVC pipe standards are the only National Standards worldwide to exclude heavy metal stabilisers - another GBCA best practice requirement.
  • No lead, cadmium or mercury based compounds are added to Vinidex PVC pipe.
  • Australian PVC pipe standards set the lowest VCM thresholds of any national standards worldwide at 1ppm .
  • Vinidex PVC structured wall and multi layer non-pressure pipe for DWV, Stormwater and conduit applications – less material is used without compromising product performance. Vinidex PVC pipe provides the lowest embodied energy pipe options for DWV and Stormwater applications
  • Durability has always been a strong point for Vinidex PVC pipe. Long life products significantly contribute to the overall sustainability of the asset because the pipe system outlasts the building.
  • Vinidex PVC pipe is recyclable and is being recycled now!
  • PVC equals or outperforms all other commonly available pipe alternatives in both pressure reticulation and DWV applications.

 

 

For a printable PDF copy please click here 

 

 

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