Switzerland launches pipe recycling at national level
With the "Swiss Plastic Pipe Recycling" project, VSPR and VKR, together with leading partners, are launching a nationwide system for taking back and recycling plastic pipes. The aim is to create a nationwide material cycle that is ecologically and economically sound and taps into previously unutilised raw material potential.
Around 85,000 tonnes of plastic pipes are used in Switzerland every year, many of which have a service life of up to 100 years. Despite their material potential, a systematic take-back and recycling process has been lacking until now. This is precisely where the “Swiss Plastic Pipe Recycling” project comes in, which was initiated by the Association of Swiss Plastic Recyclers and the Association of Plastic Pipes and Pipe Components.
The aim is to consistently return pipes from construction projects, pipeline work or dismantling to the recycling loop – with a standardised, practical system.
Broad alliance from industry and construction practice
The project is supported by a strong network. Companies from the construction, building technology, plastics processing and recycling sectors are working together to establish pipe recycling throughout Switzerland. The project partners include Burkhalter Group, Geberit, Georg Fischer, Meier Tobler, Debrunner Acifer, HakaGerodur, Eberhard, InnoRecycling and MCAM Symalit.
They are all united by the goal of making the take-back system economically viable, ecologically sound and easily accessible for users.
Clean material is a new source of recyclate
While recycled packaging plastics have primarily been used to produce new plastic pipes in the past, SPPR is focussing on a material potential that has hardly been used to date: recycled pipes. These can be used as a high-quality source of raw materials, especially for cable protection and infrastructure pipes, if they are delivered in a single type.
As packaging plastics will increasingly be turned back into packaging in the future, additional sources of technical recyclates are needed – a clear need for action in the industry.
Over 40 collection points already in operation
A centrepiece of the project is the establishment of a nationwide return network. Over 40 collection centres are already available in Switzerland. The current focus is on PE pipes from civil engineering, but expansion to other materials and applications is planned.
Companies can quickly find their nearest collection centre using an interactive map on the project website. These centres accept defined pipe types, provided that the materials are delivered clean and sorted.
Sustainability with a system
With SPPR, VSPR, VKR and the participating companies are making a concrete contribution to Switzerland’s circular economy and climate strategy. The recycling of durable pipes reduces CO₂ emissions, reduces the use of primary plastics and promotes regional value creation.
The project sustainably strengthens the Swiss recyclate market and shows how specific industry initiatives can have a systemic impact.