In the UK , VEKA Recycling is not just a waste collector or a recycler , but a collaborative partner leading the way with a genuine closed-loop recycling system .

We all have a responsibility to achieve net zero by 2050 . Sustainability should no longer be a company buzzword ; it ’ s a necessity . For the UK fenestration industry , this means integrating robust recycling solutions that reduce waste , lower carbon footprints , and promote environmental conservation .

Ensuring that plastic from old windows and doors is recycled and reused is a cornerstone of sustainable practices , and for the fenestration industry , it is particularly crucial . The production process of recycling granulates causes 90 % less CO2 emissions than manufacturing virgin PVCu . This significant reduction in emissions underscores the importance of recycling in our efforts to combat climate change .

VEKA Group , the global leader in PVCu window and door systems , has a long history of pioneering sustainability . It began in the early 1990s with the establishment of the world ’ s first window recycling plant by founder Heinrich Laumann in Germany . In 2006 , a second recycling plant was established in France and a year later , VEKA opened a facility in the UK .

Today , thanks to significant investments in facilities , operations , and technologies , in the UK , VEKA Recycling is well on the journey to developing a genuine closed-loop recycling system which is not only reducing waste but also contributing to a sustainable , circular economy where materials are diverted from landfill and incineration , and instead reused and kept within the domestic supply chain .

By recycling old PVCu windows and doors , VEKA is able to reintroduce the material directly into the production of new window and door profiles , without

any loss of quality . Approximately 90 % of the waste sent to VEKA is able to be recycled , with 60 % being reformed into brand-new windows . When you consider that it ’ s possible to recycle PVCu windows and doors up to ten times , extending product lifespan to 350 years , the value of the raw material is more than evident .

In fact , VEKA is proud to have saved 780,000 tons of CO2 through 25 million PVC windows recycled and produced 40 million windows with recycled cores .

To support VEKA ’ s mission to ensure that sustainability is at the core of the industry , VEKA ’ s Recycling ’ s facility in Wellingborough has had a £ 15m investment , enhancing its capacity and efficiency . In 2024 , VEKA Recycling and VEKA plc were brought under one Board , aligning the two businesses under this shared goal .

The strategy is to develop a collaborative approach to the recycling supply chain that is

as efficient and streamlined as possible , with the systems and procedures in place to make recycling standard within the industry . The Wellingborough facility was designed with expansion in mind . VEKA is increasing capacity to be able to process 25,000 tonnes of waste PVCu – up from our existing 18,000 tonne capacity – each year , enabling it to support thousands more businesses .

VEKA Recycling ’ s approach takes away barriers for window fabricators , installers , and waste companies throughout the UK , ensuring that old and discarded window and door profiles are able to be recycled .

Its unique approach provides fabricators and installers with a ready-made partner that can demonstrate an audited trail back to the point of recycling .

Increased recycling is also good for VEKA ’ s customers , who are increasingly conscientious about the sustainability of the products they use . Knowing that their old windows will become

new products within weeks of being removed , and that their new windows are made from recycled materials , can be a major influence on their purchasing decisions .

Not only does VEKA offer the highest quality recycled windows available on the market , but also is also enhancing customer relationships by offering them a seamless , consistent level of service which helps their business to grow .

Despite successes so far , VEKA understands that the job is far from complete . There is still a way to go in creating a completely sustainable country .

Unlocking the full potential of closed-loop recycling relies on support from the entire industry . Together we can ensure sustainability is front and centre of the agenda and strive to make further advancements .

www . veka-recycling . uk