Incineration

The incineration of PVC need not present any special problems relating to emissions of dioxins. Modern incinerators in Europe are designed to meet stringent EU limits on emissions of a number of substances including dioxins and hydrogen chloride. It should be noted, however, that both of these substances are formed by other materials and not just PVC.

PVC is by no means the only chlorine-containing substance in Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW). Organic materials such as wood, card, paper, textiles and waste foodstuffs, for example, are also capable of forming hydrogen chloride (HCl), as well as other acidic precursors such as oxides of sulphur and nitrogen (SOx and NOx). The flue gas wastes must be treated as hazardous due to the presence of heavy metal components - the vast majority of which come from non-PVC sources. Therefore, the scrubbing and purifying facilities would be required whether PVC was incinerated or not, and so there are no additional capital fixed costs associated with the controlled incineration of PVC, as part of the municipal solid waste stream. However, it is true that the operating costs can vary according to the amount of PVC in the waste stream, but this also depends upon the conditions of incineration and the rate of utilisation on the incineration facility. Based upon studies made and the average content of PVC in MSW, the incremental cost of PVC in the waste stream may amount to 1 - 2% of the total cost of incineration (27). It should be noted, however, that other component materials present in the waste stream also have associated costs.

Click here to download a factsheet on the incineration of PVC.