Sika Corporation’s Roofing & Waterproofing team is crowing, and for good reason: the company has surpassed 100 million pounds of processed PVC recycled membrane through its closed-loop “Old Roof Take Back Program” and pre-consumer recycling operation. 

Sika started its unique “Take Back” program in 2008 to create a cost-neutral arrangement with roofing contractors to ease the burden on landfills while conserving natural resources. Since then, the company has recycled over 100 million pounds of post-consumer and pre-consumer materials, it said in a news release.

Ground-up PVC membrane.When building owners purchase a new Sika PVC roof system to replace an existing one, Sika offers to recycle the membrane at no cost to the customer. The company removes the existing PVC roofing membrane and grinds it into material suitable for use in the backside of new products, including walkway pads, protection sheets, and roofing membranes. Sika will even accept competing brands' PVC membranes at the end of their service life.

Sika says it is the only PVC roofing manufacturer that recycles old PVC roofs into new membrane products. We have received certification from UL Environment verifying that Sarnafil and Sikaplan roofing membranes, PVC Protection Layer, and Sarnatred products contain an average of 10 percent recycled vinyl content from pre- and post-consumer sources.

The Vinyl Sustainability Council, a self-funded business council advancing sustainability in the vinyl industry, recognized Sika's roof recycling program with the 2020 Vinyl Recycling Award. The program has also been honored by the state legislature of Massachusetts and numerous roofing trade associations.

For more information on Sika’s PVC recycling program, click HERE.