Anyone can complete the sustainable lifecycle of used, unused or new vinyl siding to save it from ending up in a landfill

By Patricia Nugent

Vinyl siding was invented back in the 1950s in Columbus. And Ohio continues to be an active market for homebuilding with this homegrown product, with more vinyl processors than almost any other state.

It makes perfect sense that our fair state would be the first proving ground for a national vinyl siding recycling initiative.

Whether you’re a homeowner updating your own home, or a professional remodeler, you can complete the sustainable life cycle of used, unused or new vinyl siding to save it from ending up in a landfill.

“We chose Northeast Ohio to kick off the Vinyl Siding Recycling Coalition Pilot Program in 2021 because of the large amount of vinyl siding being used here, and the solid infrastructure that is in place for recycling,” says Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI) Vice President Matthew Dobson, who spearheaded the Coalition. VSI is a national trade association that supports contractors with education, training materials and advocacy. “The hope is to eventually expand the initiative to the rest of the country and Canada.”

Within its first year, the program prevented more than 125,000 pounds of siding from heading to a landfill.

“We’re pleased to be raising awareness and making a huge impact on the environment,” says Matthew. “The program has received traction from contractors on the local level. A lot of people don’t realize that vinyl is very easy to recycle into other building products. It’s easily ground up and can have a second life as raw vinyl materials, including decking, railings, pipes, windows and more.”

Currently, there are 12 recycling center locations within the state—in Cleveland, Brooklyn Heights, Youngstown, Akron, Massillon, Painesville, Millersburg, Ashland, Lisbon, Oberlin and Barberton. There are easy-to-use collection containers at each site.

Materials that are deemed recyclable as a focus of the program include PVC siding in any size or color, soffits and accessories, including vinyl downspouts, pipe and fencing.

Why Vinyl Siding is Trending
According to Matthew, the vinyl siding industry has evolved dramatically over the years based on its affordability, durability and design innovation.

“To begin with, it’s a natural choice for homeowners who care about the recycling, as not only is vinyl siding recyclable, but its manufacturing process consumes less energy and generates fewer emissions than other exterior products,” he says. “Low maintenance and no need to paint or treat are also factors in its growing popularity.”

Esthetics and architectural versatility in vinyl siding have been fine-tuned, too, and today vinyl comes in an endless array of colors and styles, textures, profiles and shapes to achieve any design vision.

Another perk, especially in light of Northeast Ohio’s unpredictable weather, is that vinyl is impervious to water damage, unlike wood products, and expands and contracts to keep up with climate conditions. It also appeals to the budget-conscious homeowner, with a more affordable product and installation cost than other options.

“We feel that vinyl siding is a natural choice for millennials and the younger generation who are now buying and building homes,” he says. “For those who are aware of the impact they make on the environment, this is a product that combines high efficiency with the ability to cast a low carbon footprint. Introducing the capability to recycle it only adds to the long list of benefits.”

Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, The Vinyl Siding Institute is the national trade association for manufacturers of vinyl and polymeric siding and suppliers to the industry. To become a member, or find out more about VSI, visit vinylsiding.org for more information or email hello@vinylsiding.org There’s a list and map of recycling centers in Ohio. Remodelers and contractors do not need to be VSI members to use the collection sites to recycle their vinyl siding.