A story of transformation and hope has emerged in Louisville, Ky. The Revinylize Recycling Collaborative, the Polymeric Exterior Products Association’s (PEPA) expanding national recycling program, recently partnered with numerous organizations with an innovative idea for a greener, stronger community: Identify a home clad with vinyl siding that had reached its end of useful life and was ready for residing. A bonus: the project, aimed to demonstrate how Revinylize makes it easy to recycle vinyl building products, transformed an area nonprofit’s recovery home using sustainable vinyl siding.
Revinylize is revolutionizing the recycling of vinyl siding and other rigid vinyl building products by creating an innovative one-stop solution for home builders, remodelers and consumers.This groundbreaking initiative reclaims post-consumer materials from landfills and recycles them into beautiful, new products. The benefits are far-reaching, offering environmental sustainability, cost savings, durability, opportunities for new business development and innovative new products made from recycled vinyl.
Matt Dobson, Vice President, PEPA, explained that the Louisville project exemplifies the collaborative’s commitment to reclaim, recycle and repeat. “Louisville is setting the stage for other locations across North America to embrace sustainable growth through innovative recycling solutions,” Dobson said.
A Mission of “Rebirth” and a Community Joining Together
The New Leaf Clinic, a non-profit that provides transitional housing for individuals in recovery, was the focal point of the recent initiative. The project removed thousands of pounds of old vinyl siding from one of the clinic’s homes in Louisville, recycling it for use in new materials, and installed fresh, eco-friendly siding donated by Revinylize partners Westlake Royal Building Products and Mueller Distributors.
The effort elevated the home’s exterior and symbolized the recovery journey of its residents, emphasizing the power of community and innovation. Project highlights include:
- 2,000-3,000 pounds of vinyl siding were diverted from landfills and recycled.
- New siding has extended the home’s lifespan while reducing its environmental impact.
- The project saved time and costs while inspiring other community organizations.
Bethany Kaestner, Director of Housing at The New Leaf Clinic, noted that her organization offers a mental health and substance abuse treatment program and provides secure housing during its clients’ recovery, a critical component of its mission. “We are so excited for this house to be blessed with new siding from Revinylize,” Kaestner said. “It lifts up the prestige and visibility of our home in this neighborhood. Recovery is all about re-birth, and so is Revinylize, so it’s wonderful for us to be a part of their work here.”
Inspiring Future Generations
Beyond the home’s physical transformation, the initiative symbolizes a sustainable path forward for Louisville. Representatives from the City of Louisville’s Waste Management District expressed interest in scaling this model citywide, while Hand in Hand, a neighboring nonprofit, shared their enthusiasm for future partnerships.
“It’s not just about recycling materials; it’s about renewing hope,” said Maura Cautilli, Executive Director of Hand in Hand. “This project shows what’s possible when we work together to uplift our community.”
Revinylize – Join the Movement
Following a two-year pilot project, Revinylize officially launched in 2023 in partnership with PEPA, the Vinyl Institute (who made a generous grant to help fund the collaborative), the PVC Pipe Association and the Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association (PPFA). Initial verification came from three top North American rigid vinyl recyclers: JP Industrial, Return Polymers and Viking Recycling. Their efforts were bolstered by collection site expansions, including C&D diversion points at Michael Brothers in Pittsburgh and Richard S. Burns & Company in Philadelphia.
After a two-year pilot program, PEPA officially launched Revinylize in 2023. The recycling program aims to recycle 5 million pounds of post-consumer rigid vinyl during 2025. As of August 2023, the collaborative has recycled half a million pounds. With formalized partnerships and expanding operations in Louisville, KY, Nashville, Tenn., and the Northeast, the collaborative aims to ensure that every project – like New Leaf Clinic’s recovery home – makes a meaningful difference. For more information about Revinylize and how it can benefit your business and local community, visit www.revinylizenow.org or contact Matt Dobson.
