PVC-free vinyl gives printers and sign-makers an eco-friendly way to make backdrops, signs, wraps and films.
Our new craft vinyl is the only eco-friendly and completely PVC and lead free available in the United States. It is laser safe, as well!
Substitutes for PVC include traditional materials such as clay, glass, ceramics and linoleum. In those cases where traditional materials cannot be used as a replacement, even chlorine-free plastics are preferable to PVC.
The answer is no, PVC is not considered to be a sustainable material. It is non-biodegradable, meaning it will remain in the environment for a very long time. It can also be difficult to recycle, as it is made from a combination of plastics and chemicals.
"Vinyl is a form of plastic that is quite difficult to recycle," says Dr Sharon George, senior lecturer in the environment and sustainability at Keele University. "The C in PVC means chloride (from chlorine) which is quite toxic and difficult to handle.
PVC-free vinyl films are made from plastics and polymers that are recyclable and have a smaller carbon footprint than PVC. The main PVC alternatives are PP, PET and polyester, which have different use cases and applications.
Cork – Durable, hypoallergenic, unique, and eco-friendly, cork is a happy medium between hardwood and vinyl flooring. Similar to vinyl, cork is relatively inexpensive and comes in small sheets or planks. Cork, like hardwood, is a beautiful natural material that can be sustainably harvested.
The combination of chlorine and ethylene to make the vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) The polymerisation of VCM to make poly-vinyl-chloride (PVC) The blending of PVC polymer with other materials to produce different formulations providing a wide range of physical properties.
Some manufactures have started to make 'phthalate-free PVC' claiming it is non-toxic, but the reality is, they have just swapped out the phthalates for other less well known chemicals which, for now, sneak below the radar of testing requirements and regulations.
Chemicals used in the production process of PVC can be quite harmful and the fabric itself can leach out chemicals when exposed to extreme heat. PVC is also difficult to recycle and incineration causes issues as PVC releases organochlorines including dioxin during combustion. PVC is hard to dispose of.
PVC-Free Alternatives
Some of the best PVC alternatives include bamboo, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), paper-based materials, polylactic acid (PLA), wool felt, and cellulose acetate bioplastic.
PVC's environmental effects are irreparable.
PVC is unsustainable because it uses massive amounts of chlorine and dioxin, which are both toxic to the environment, according to Greenpeace.
Bioplastics. Plant-based plastics, known as bioplastics, have been hailed as a green alternative to fossil fuel-based plastic, especially when it comes to food packaging. But bioplastics have their own environmental footprint, requiring the growing of crops and therefore land and water use.
description almost always means made of PVC. The term vinyl in ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), and polyvinyl butyral (PVB), however, does not refer to PVC and does not raise the same concerns associated with chlorinated molecules like PVC.
But it's true—vinyl flooring can also contain harmful VOCs and other chemicals. The good news: low-VOC vinyl flooring has come a long way in recent years. These days, if you know what to look for, it's totally possible to find vinyl plank, LVT, and vinyl sheet that do right by your home and your health.
Cricut users or anyone who use vinyl in their handicrafts may know that most craft vinyl is made from PVC. What they may not know is that some of these vinyl brands may contain lead—the dangers of which are well known.
bottles, sippy cups, chew toys, and other children's items that are labeled “phthalate- free” or “PVC-free”. Sometimes items containing PVC can be identified by the recycling code 3, “V” or “PVC”.
PVC cannot be effectively recycled due to the many different toxic additives used to soften or stabilize PVC, which can contaminate the recy- cling batch.
Nowadays, thanks to an increase in safety regulations and technological advancements, most vinyl manufacturers have employed techniques to produce LVP with very low VOCs and the majority of it is NOW phthalate-free!
Vinyl and PVC are often confused with one another, but these two materials are not the same. Vinyl is an ethane radical, PVC is polyvinyl chloride and a polymer of vinyl chloride. PVC is a type of vinyl: it is one of the most popular construction materials on the market and is relatively inexpensive.
PVC is dangerous to both the environment and human health at all stages. From manufacturing PVC in factories to using it in our homes, and during disposal processes, it's toxic. In fact, we are exposed to all the chemicals contained in PVC at all stages of its life, and these chemicals can have an impact on our health.
Vinyl chloride can irritate the eyes, mucous membranes, and respiratory tract. Escaping compressed gas or liquid can cause frostbite or irritation of the skin and eyes. Chronic exposure can cause permanent liver injury and liver cancer, neurologic or behavioral symptoms, and changes to the skin and bones of the hand.
If you are focussed on using “green” products made from natural resources, then wood laminates beat luxury vinyl tiles. For sound insulation, fall-protection and temperature control, carpet is the winner.
This material can be harmful to the environment in various ways and should be avoided if a genuinely eco-friendly option is required. When searching for an appropriate vinyl plank or luxury vinyl tile, also known as LVT flooring, look for options that include terms such as: PVC free. VOC free.
Engineered using the naturally occurring bioplastic PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) — which decomposes in any environment, including the ocean — the 14-track vinyl compilation has been made in collaboration with the collective Evolution Music and 'green' pressing plant Deep Grooves.