In this article, Jon Chamberlain, Managing Director of Marshall-Tufflex, explores the common objections that contractors may have about conduit and trunking made from recycled PVC-U and why these misconceptions simply aren’t true.
Sustainability is now a priority in all areas of a building’s design and is an increasingly important element at the prequalification stage of any major tender. As such, it’s important for contractors to consider their essential role in the supply chain and the products they use, in both meeting customer expectations and suitability for the application, but also as part of a wider solution to help lower carbon emissions and divert waste from landfill.
Within the cable management sector specifically, there are PVC-U products available on the market that are manufactured using recycled materials which can help to meet such objectives. Unfortunately, these products are still not widely adopted, which may be due to some misconceptions.
Quality
When specifying cable management systems, quality is a key consideration, especially when it comes to guaranteeing durability – a particular concern for commercial and public sector buildings with high traffic areas throughout. A common perception is that using recycled PVC-U leads to the end product being of a lower quality, in comparison to alternatives produced from virgin-grade PVC-U.
However, this isn’t the case as cable management systems produced from recycled PVC-U are proven to be incredibly strong and durable. The recycled PVC-U used in the manufacture of cable management systems most commonly comes from PVC-U window frames, which have been designed to withstand external elements. In fact, recycling and reusing window frame PVC-U can produce cable management systems of the same, if not a higher standard, when compared to virgin-grade extrusion PVC-U.
Colour
Concerns about the colour and finish of conduit and trunking with recycled content may be a further barrier. Chipped waste PVC-U is often characterised by a creamy, yellowish tint which is undesirable for perimeter and conduit products.
To overcome this, leading manufacturers have refined the recycling and manufacturing process to remove these hues and produce a product that offers a superior white finish every time. For example, to ensure that every product is up to standard, Marshall-Tufflex has rigorous quality control measures in place, including colour consistency checks, to ensure that a glossy white finish is always achieved.
Cost
A further misconception is that products that are more sustainable are often assumed to be more expensive. In reality, the cost of cable management products made from recycled material should be in line with others of the same quality, making it a simple and cost neutral switch. If the price point is the same and the quality is better, then there really is no reason not to specify products with lower environmental impact!
Peace of mind
As with any product regardless of the raw material, it’s essential to choose high quality solutions from reputable manufacturers, particularly those that have proven expertise in the use of recycled content.
Furthermore, to avoid any element of doubt over a product’s sustainability credentials, always make sure that it complies with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals (REACH) standards that looks at the use of chemical substances and the potential impact on the environment and human health.
Also check for compliance with the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Accreditation that demonstrates that manufacturers have taken steps to reduce their impact on the environment throughout their business.
Get more details about Marshall-Tufflex’s full product range here
Find more industry feature articles here
