Book Review: PVC: Reaching for Sustainability

Abstract

PVC: Reaching for Sustainability (2008), Mark Everard, PhD, IOM Communications Ltd, London, United Kingdom. Available through the British Plastics Federation, London. 269 pages, £30.00, ISBN 978-1-86125-170-1IntroductionThere are technical books written for audiences of insiders from many industries and professions. They are intended for consumption by people whose livelihoods depend on knowing in detail all the workings of their various enterprises. Then there are technical books with a broader scope, written not only to convey domain-specific knowledge, but also to reach a broader audience of stakeholders who have a vested interest in the outcome of decisions made by industry experts. PVC: Reaching for Sustainability is one such book, written by Dr. Mark Everard.A precise definition of sustainability can be argued and debated, and this term comes loaded with many preconceived notions. In his book, Dr. Everard uses the following working definition: sustainability is enabling our growing human population to live equitably within the supportive capacities of the natural world on an indefi- nite basis. The question arises, How can PVC (polyvinyl chloride) be sustainable? For many environmentalists, PVC is regarded as bad news, but this book, ultimately, is not only about PVC. It is about assumptions and values, the relationship between them, and about taking the steps necessary to achieve sustainability. He shows the reader that substantial progress within the PVC industry is not only possible but has been going on for many years; and while much remains to be done, progress in this industry can serve as a model and an inspiration to those in other industries, too.Originally a wetland and freshwater scientist with a PhD in the cycling of heavy metals through lake ecosystems, Dr. Everard has worked on aquatic management and sustainable development issues in academia, the private sector, environmental regulation, and the nongovernmental organization (NGO) sector. He has served on numerous government advisory committees in the United Kingdom, and he has written scientific papers, technical and magazine articles, and books.PVC has been looked at as a material somehow apart from all others, one that has been subject to deselection by manufacturing companies, design professionals, and other entities. Often the recommended substitute material is one that has not received any real technical scrutiny but is simply outside the media spotlight at the moment. Although it is a synthetic substance, PVC-like many other materials-is derived from abundant, although not unlimited, natural resources (in this case, common salt and oil or natural gas). Dr. Everard's book is about conceiving of the key challenges to be addressed to achieve the desired result of sustainable PVC-and other materials as well.What Is PVC?The acronym PVC refers to the polymer polyvinyl chloride, commonly known as vinyl. Finished PVC contains additives, including materials to aid in polymerization, and stabilizers, lubricants, and plasticizers to enhance its functional properties. Pigments, fillers, flame-retardants, and other additives may be used, depending on the intended application of the product.It is a thermoplastic, a material that loses its shape when heated and then becomes rigid again when cooled. These thermoplastic properties make physical recycling of PVC relatively easy, because the material can be reshaped for new uses under heating. It has been in commercial use since 1933 and now accounts for about 20% of all plastic manufactured worldwide, second only to polyethylene.PVC appears in the marketplace in both rigid and flexible forms. Rigid applications include uses in building construction, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, packaging, and domestic functions. Flexible PVC is also seen widely in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, building construction, and medical and consumer product uses. …