VEKA Recycling, the recycling arm of VEKA plc, can process 25,000 tonnes of PVCu waste annually, having recently hit the impressive milestone of 25 million PVCu windows recycled, with a further 40 million windows produced with recycled core. Whilst the impact of this sustainability effort extends far beyond the gates of the Wellingborough recycling facility, it is also echoed throughout the dedicated workforce.

Paulius Jakstys, an engineer at VEKA Recycling, takes great pride in his role and feels inspired by the positive impact the business has on the environment. Although he has always been environmentally conscious, working at VEKA, a company that both embeds and actions its strong sustainability values, has strengthened his commitment to reducing waste at home.“ I take waste management seriously,” Paulius explains.“ When I see something being thrown in the wrong bin, I know exactly where it could end up. Working here has reinforced the importance of recycling, not just at work but in my own home too.”

Why VEKA prioritises sustainability

Meanwhile, it is no secret that the construction industry generates 62 % of the UK’ s total waste and 32 % of all construction-related waste it produces is sent

Paulius Jakstys

to landfill. The Future Homes Standard( FHS) which comes into effect this year, aims to reduce the impact that new homes have on the environment, ensuring all new homes produce 75-80 % less carbon emissions, whilst combatting the excess waste the industry produces by incorporating more energy-efficient designs and processes.

PVCu windows are well-positioned to meet these new housing standards due to their enhanced thermal properties. But adopting sustainable processes can ensure that they have a lasting impact, using recycled material core contributing to reduction of waste product. Recycling PVCu windows can save up to 260kg CO2 per tonne, at VEKA

Recycling we are ensuring that collected PVCu waste is recycled and reused in new windows. Not just from VEKA’ s own products, but the efforts expand to any post-consumer materials at risk of being sent to landfill.

VEKA Recycling’ s closed-loop system ensures that we can maintain a high level of quality control while also reducing carbon emissions. Actively working to increase the recycled content in new frames, aiming to reach an average of 32 % by the end of 2025, increasing from 28 % at the beginning of the year. By keeping operations domestic, VEKA supports British manufacturing and reduces carbon emissions associated with transportation.

A global team effort

Ryan Muncey, an extruder operator, understands the impact of the sustainability efforts and how it can impact the wider world.“ Someone once told me I should

just throw everything away instead of sorting my recycling,” Ryan recalls.“ But knowing what we do at VEKA, turning waste into something valuable, it really changes your perspective. There’ s the environmental benefit, and there’ s the business aspect too. It’ s fascinating to see how recycling creates both sustainability and economic opportunity.”

Instilling a sense of pride and connection to a larger purpose is what really motivates the workforce and we’ re always pushing the boundaries to keep ahead of new challenges.

“ We visited VEKA in Germany to see how they operate,” Ryan shares.“ It’ s incredible to see how things are constantly improving. Over the four years I’ ve been here, the company has evolved in so many ways.”

With the rise in demand for coloured PVCu windows, so has the complexity of recycling. But working together and learning

from our global network allowed us to be agile in our approach, enabling us to adapt and overcome challenges associated with repurposing coloured PVCu waste. With forward-thinking advancements in machinery that expertly sorts the coloured from white PVCu waste to maximise the recyclability of the waste material.

As a family-owned global company, VEKA understands that its success is driven by its people, from the team in our VEKA Recycling facility in Wellingborough, to our team in Burnley, who utilise the recycled material in our products, such as the innovative double-flush door and window range – OMNIA. At VEKA, there is a shared ethos of working sustainably and reducing our environmental impact.

www. vekauk. com / about-us / recycling-upvc-windowsservices /