Greenpeace: Pvctoys Campaign: Reports: A Looming Waste Crisis: Appendix

PVC Plastic: a Looming Waste Crisis

Appendix

Table 1 Production of plastics, world population, and consumption per capita
source: Elias 1992

region/country

production in 1,000 tonnes/year

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990

EC 300 2,300 11,500 19,700 30,000

US 1,100 2,800 9,100 16,100 30,000

Japan 40 700 5,300 7,500 13,000

Eastern Europe 100 500 4,000 6,900 13,000

Other 70 300 1,100 8,800 14,000

Total 1,600 6,700 31,000 59,000 100,000

Population (M) 2,532 3,062 3,730 4,498 5,320

Per capita consumption (kg) 0.6 2.2 8.3 13.1 18.8

Table 2 Use of additives in plastic materials (percentage of consumption)

source: Nordin 1996 (Western Europe); Wolf and Kaul 1992 (world)

PE PP PVC ABS/PS Others World consumption***

in 1000 tonnes, 1990

Anti-oxidants 28 30 * 25 17 85

Lubricants 6 2 65 16 11 136

Plasticisers * * 80 * 20 391

UV-stabilisers** 36 37 8 19 13 17

Flame retardants 6 6 27 6 55 510

Anti-statics 33 11 12 39 5 -

Heat stabilisers*** - - 100 - - 289

Light stabilisers*** 55 - 10 5 30 17

Impact modifiers*** - - 60 - - 204

Miscellaneous - - - - - 68

Total 1,700

* is included in the category ‘other plastics’

** world consumption

*** derived from Wolf and Kaul (1992)

These figures exclude fillers and fibre reinforcements, such as carbonates,
sulphates and glass fibres. These are estimated for 1990 to account for more than
5,000,000 tonnes (Wolf and Kaul 1992).

Table 3 Breakdown of plastic waste in household waste in Western Europe in 1994 (in 1,000 tonnes)

source: APME 1996a

1. PP& 1,943

2. HDPE 1,601

3. LDPE/LLDPE 2,859

4. PVC 1,487

5. PS + EPS 1,372

6. PET 686

7. Others 1,487

Total: 11,435 ktonnes

(total household waste: 138,110 ktonnes)

Table 4 Growth PVC additives consumption Western Europe (in 1,000 tonnes)

source: Barret 1996

1995 1997 2000

Flexible plasticised PVC

consumption 1,710 1,915 2,030

Plasticisers

- DNOP 500 522 560

- DINP 185 215 235

- DIDP 210 240 255

- Other phthalates 85 95 100

- Trimellitates 25 30 35

- Other types 130 145 155

Total 1,135 1,247 1,340

Stabilisers

- Lead 12.3

- Barium/zinc 15.4

- Calcium/zinc 3.2

- Tin 3.6

Total 34.5

Rigid unplasticised, U-plastic PVC

consumption 3,441 3,726 3,855

Fillers 210 220 233

Lubricants 68 71 74

Impact modifiers 118 122 122

Process aids 24 25 25

Stabilisers 43 50 58

One-packs 78 85 90

Total 541 573 602

Table 5 Plastics waste forecasts construction sector Europe (in 1,000 tonnes)

source: APME 1996b

1992** 2000*** 2010***

Fixed floor coverings 425 562 747

Pipes and ducts 74 207 343

Cables 102 177 226

Profiles 56 133 222

Insulation 56 118 345

Lining 56 103 186

Windows 3.7 15 63

Others* 135 162 240

Total 926 1,476 2,372

* wall coverings: 3% / cladding: 1% / glazing: 2% / fitted sanitary products: 1% / lighting: 2%

** It is assumed that the percentage of PVC waste is proportional to the percentage of PVC consumption and is 56% of all plastics.

*** annual growth estimate 6% between 1992 and 2000 and 4.8% between 2000 and 2010.

Table 6 Number of plastic and PVC recyclers in Europe

source: EuPC 1994

Plastic PVC

Austria 53 19

Belgium 20 9

Denmark 13 4

Finland 14 3

France 192 143

Germany 343 100

Italy 196 62

Netherlands 82 28

Portugal 9 5

Spain 56 12

Switzerland 38 19

UK 67 19

Total 1,083 423(39%)

Table 7 World PVC Consumption by Use and Type - 1990 (in 1,000 tonnes)

source: SRI International 1993

North Western Japan Oceania World

America Europe

Flexible PVC 1,256 - - - -

Film & sheet 184 - - - -

Floor coverings 194 243 97 7 634

Synthetic leather 96 175 83 7 428

Wire and cable 231 436 246 17 1,165

Other 551 517 167 13 1,555

Rigid PVC 2,855 3,329 1,106 130 8,648

Blow molding 105 524 - 17 723

Film and sheet 86 601 258 - 1,162

Pipe and fitting 1,430 1,450 692 100 4,652

Siding/profiles 373 487 - - 980

Other 519 266 156 13 1,132

Unidentified 130 - - - 3,205

Total 4,111 5,254 2,081 190 17,281

Note: APME defines Western Europe = Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland,
Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, Austria, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland.
SRI includes Turkey in Western European figures.

Table 8 PVC consumption in Europe, USA, Japan and World 1966-2005 (in 1,000 tonnes)

source: figures 1966-1992 and 1997: Auchter et al. (1993); 1992-1997 figures are based on linear extrapolation); figures 1998 - 2005 are based on growth rate estimates by SRI International (1993).

Europe USA Japan World

1966 - 933 - -

1967 - 926 - -

1968 - 1,104 - -

1969 - 1,249 - -

1970 - 1,268 - -

1971 - 1,463 - -

1972 - 1,896 - -

1973 - 2,080 - -

1974 3,320 2,002 1,251 7,903

1975 2,809 1,566 1,054 8,283

1976 3,369 1,980 1,016 8,680

1977 3,377 2,265 1,041 9,097

1978 3,505 2,525 1,164 9,534

1979 3,933 2,638 1,508 9,991

1980 3,723 2,242 1,373 10,471

1981 3,459 2,343 1,214 10,973

1982 3,517 2,218 1,292 11,500

1983 3,783 2,548 1,404 12,360

1984 3,808 2,912 1,504 13,220

1985 3,993 2,916 1,561 14,080

1986 4,242 3,194 1,571 14,940

1987 4,669 3,470 1,687 15,800

1988 4,989 3,524 1,807 16,323

1989 5,172 3,436 1,939 16,846

1990 5,341 3,652 2,092 17,369

1991 5,307 3,444 1,988 17,892

1992 5,407 3,915 1,980 18,415

1993 5,520 4,042 2,044 19,132

1994 5,632 4,169 2,108 19,849

1995 5,745 4,296 2,172 20,566

1996 5,857 4,423 2,236 21,283

1997 5,970 4,550 2,300 22,000

1998 6,143 4,704 2,397 22,814

1999 6,321 4,864 2,497 23,658

2000 6,505 5,030 2,602 24,533

2001 6,531 5,060 2,636 25,122

2002 6,557 5,090 2,715 25,725

2003 6,583 5,121 2,797 26,343

2004 6,609 5,151 2,880 26,975

2005 6,636 5,182 2,967 27,622

Note Figure page 6 Estimated PVC accumulation in long life goods 1962-2005 (in million tonnes)

Note: Figure on page 6 is based on Table 8 above. Assumptions: figures 1962-1966 based on linear extrapolation. European figures 1962 derived from APME assuming 56% of plastic consumption in construction sector is PVC. Japanese figure for 1962 is estimated as 10% of 1974 consumption (based on growth European PVC consumption 1962-1974). The 1962 world consumption is assumed the total of Europe, USA and Japan. Auchter et al. (1993) specified the use of construction materials only for the USA. According to EVC, 50% of the Western European consumption in 1991 was used in the building and construction sector. This figure is assumed to be the same for Japan and ‘total world’.

[ Report Contents ]

Table 1 Production of plastics, world population, and consumption per capita source: Elias 1992
region/country	production in 1,000 tonnes/year
	1950	1960	1970	1980	1990
EC	300	2,300	11,500	19,700	30,000
US	1,100	2,800	9,100	16,100	30,000
Japan	40	700	5,300	7,500	13,000
Eastern Europe	100	500	4,000	6,900	13,000
Other	70	300	1,100	8,800	14,000
Total	1,600	6,700	31,000	59,000	100,000
Population (M)	2,532	3,062	3,730	4,498	5,320
Per capita consumption (kg)	0.6	2.2	8.3	13.1	18.8

Table 2 Use of additives in plastic materials (percentage of consumption)
source: Nordin 1996 (Western Europe); Wolf and Kaul 1992 (world)
	PE	PP	PVC	ABS/PS	Others	World consumption***

						in 1000 tonnes, 1990
Anti-oxidants	28	30	*	25	17	85
Lubricants	6	2	65	16	11	136
Plasticisers	*	*	80	*	20	391
UV-stabilisers**	36	37	8	19	13	17
Flame retardants	6	6	27	6	55	510
Anti-statics	33	11	12	39	5	-
Heat stabilisers***	-	-	100	-	-	289
Light stabilisers***	55	-	10	5	30	17
Impact modifiers***	-	-	60	-	-	204
Miscellaneous	-	-	-	-	-	68
Total						1,700

* is included in the category ‘other plastics’
** world consumption
*** derived from Wolf and Kaul (1992)
These figures exclude fillers and fibre reinforcements, such as carbonates, sulphates and glass fibres. These are estimated for 1990 to account for more than 5,000,000 tonnes (Wolf and Kaul 1992).

Table 3 Breakdown of plastic waste in household waste in Western Europe in 1994 (in 1,000 tonnes)

source: APME 1996a

1. PP&	1,943
2. HDPE	1,601
3. LDPE/LLDPE	2,859
4. PVC	1,487
5. PS + EPS	1,372
6. PET	686
7. Others	1,487
Total:	11,435 ktonnes
(total household waste: 138,110 ktonnes)

Table 4 Growth PVC additives consumption Western Europe (in 1,000 tonnes)

source: Barret 1996

	1995	1997	2000

Flexible plasticised PVC
consumption	1,710	1,915	2,030
Plasticisers
- DNOP	500	522	560
- DINP	185	215	235
- DIDP	210	240	255
- Other phthalates	85	95	100
- Trimellitates	25	30	35
- Other types	130	145	155
Total	1,135	1,247	1,340

Stabilisers
- Lead	12.3
- Barium/zinc	15.4
- Calcium/zinc	3.2
- Tin	3.6
Total	34.5

Rigid unplasticised, U-plastic PVC
consumption	3,441	3,726	3,855
Fillers	210	220	233
Lubricants	68	71	74
Impact modifiers	118	122	122
Process aids	24	25	25
Stabilisers	43	50	58
One-packs	78	85	90
Total	541	573	602

Table 5 Plastics waste forecasts construction sector Europe (in 1,000 tonnes)

source: APME 1996b

	1992**	2000***	2010***

Fixed floor coverings	425	562	747
Pipes and ducts	74	207	343
Cables	102	177	226
Profiles	56	133	222
Insulation	56	118	345
Lining	56	103	186
Windows	3.7	15	63
Others*	135	162	240
Total	926	1,476	2,372

* wall coverings: 3% / cladding: 1% / glazing: 2% / fitted sanitary products: 1% / lighting: 2%
** It is assumed that the percentage of PVC waste is proportional to the percentage of PVC consumption and is 56% of all plastics.
*** annual growth estimate 6% between 1992 and 2000 and 4.8% between 2000 and 2010.

Table 6 Number of plastic and PVC recyclers in Europe

source: EuPC 1994

	Plastic	PVC

Austria	53	19
Belgium	20	9
Denmark	13	4
Finland	14	3
France	192	143
Germany	343	100
Italy	196	62
Netherlands	82	28
Portugal	9	5
Spain	56	12
Switzerland	38	19
UK	67	19
Total	1,083	423(39%)

Table 7 World PVC Consumption by Use and Type - 1990 (in 1,000 tonnes)

source: SRI International 1993

	North	Western	Japan	Oceania	World
	America	Europe

Flexible PVC	1,256	-	-	-	-
Film & sheet	184	-	-	-	-
Floor coverings	194	243	97	7	634
Synthetic leather	96	175	83	7	428
Wire and cable	231	436	246	17	1,165
Other	551	517	167	13	1,555

Rigid PVC	2,855	3,329	1,106	130	8,648
Blow molding	105	524	-	17	723
Film and sheet	86	601	258	-	1,162
Pipe and fitting	1,430	1,450	692	100	4,652
Siding/profiles	373	487	-	-	980
Other	519	266	156	13	1,132

Unidentified	130	-	-	-	3,205

Total	4,111	5,254	2,081	190	17,281

Note: APME defines Western Europe = Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland,
Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, Austria, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland.
SRI includes Turkey in Western European figures.

Table 8 PVC consumption in Europe, USA, Japan and World 1966-2005 (in 1,000 tonnes)

source: figures 1966-1992 and 1997: Auchter et al. (1993); 1992-1997 figures are based on linear extrapolation); figures 1998 - 2005 are based on growth rate estimates by SRI International (1993).

	Europe	USA	Japan	World

1966	-	933	-	-
1967	-	926	-	-
1968	-	1,104	-	-
1969	-	1,249	-	-
1970	-	1,268	-	-
1971	-	1,463	-	-
1972	-	1,896	-	-
1973	-	2,080	-	-
1974	3,320	2,002	1,251	7,903
1975	2,809	1,566	1,054	8,283
1976	3,369	1,980	1,016	8,680
1977	3,377	2,265	1,041	9,097
1978	3,505	2,525	1,164	9,534
1979	3,933	2,638	1,508	9,991
1980	3,723	2,242	1,373	10,471
1981	3,459	2,343	1,214	10,973
1982	3,517	2,218	1,292	11,500
1983	3,783	2,548	1,404	12,360
1984	3,808	2,912	1,504	13,220
1985	3,993	2,916	1,561	14,080
1986	4,242	3,194	1,571	14,940
1987	4,669	3,470	1,687	15,800
1988	4,989	3,524	1,807	16,323
1989	5,172	3,436	1,939	16,846
1990	5,341	3,652	2,092	17,369
1991	5,307	3,444	1,988	17,892
1992	5,407	3,915	1,980	18,415
1993	5,520	4,042	2,044	19,132
1994	5,632	4,169	2,108	19,849
1995	5,745	4,296	2,172	20,566
1996	5,857	4,423	2,236	21,283
1997	5,970	4,550	2,300	22,000
1998	6,143	4,704	2,397	22,814
1999	6,321	4,864	2,497	23,658
2000	6,505	5,030	2,602	24,533
2001	6,531	5,060	2,636	25,122
2002	6,557	5,090	2,715	25,725
2003	6,583	5,121	2,797	26,343
2004	6,609	5,151	2,880	26,975
2005	6,636	5,182	2,967	27,622

Note Figure page 6 Estimated PVC accumulation in long life goods 1962-2005 (in million tonnes)

Note: Figure on page 6 is based on Table 8 above. Assumptions: figures 1962-1966 based on linear extrapolation. European figures 1962 derived from APME assuming 56% of plastic consumption in construction sector is PVC. Japanese figure for 1962 is estimated as 10% of 1974 consumption (based on growth European PVC consumption 1962-1974). The 1962 world consumption is assumed the total of Europe, USA and Japan. Auchter et al. (1993) specified the use of construction materials only for the USA. According to EVC, 50% of the Western European consumption in 1991 was used in the building and construction sector. This figure is assumed to be the same for Japan and ‘total world’.