Post Consumer Window Frame Recycling

Recycling post-consumer window frames on site is one of Bowater Windows' Environmental Targets. We have been working closely with the BRE/WRAP and the BPF to investigate possible ways to increase recycling of window frames on construction sites. As a result of the work that we have been doing, Bowater Windows has a dedicated 'recycling committee' who encourage and look at possible ways to increase on site recycling.

To date we have recycled over 40,000 post-consumer window frames on site. Please see examples below:

Removal and recycling of 4,750 frames from phase 1 at Hackney (Mountford and Rhodes Estate) - Aluminium in timber sub-frame. Frames were transported on request, where the materials would be fed into a machine that would separate the various constituent elements of the window frame (e.g. wood, steel, glass & aluminium).

The removal and recycling of over 20,000 window frames from Valleys to Coasts in Wales. The frames are shipped to a local waste recycling company who dismantle the window frames and recycle the segregated parts.

500 post consumer PVCu window frames from a contract in Tamworth. Glass was segregated from the PVCu frame on site and sent for recycling. The PVCu frame was then shipped to PVCu re-processor for dismantling and recycling.

1800 steel window frames from Birmingham.

145 aluminium frames from Hillingdon. The funds raised from the recycling of the aluminium frames was given back to Hillingdon Homes, as part of the partnership arrangements.

Can PVC Window Frames be Recycled?

The simple answer to this question is yes.  PVC-U windows are being recycled at the end of their service life into other useful products.

The industry has developed highly successful recycling systems for PVC, including construction materials, and has targets to recycle increasing quantities of PVC every year across Europe. 

In the UK the Recovinyl Scheme has developed an infrastructure of 100 collectors and 20 recyclers of PVC construction materials to recycle PVC window frames at the end of their service lives.