The environmental impact of end-of-life PVC flex banners and its potential upcycling opportunities

Abstract

PVC is used as a raw material for many products, especially in the production of flex banners. PVC flex banners used for advertising or marketing purposes have a short-term use [average up to 45 days]. PVC flex banners are usually annihilated, piled in landfills, incinerated, or buried under the soil, thus causing severe damage to the environment. This systematic literature review highlights the research carried out on this topic over the last two decades and discusses industry practices in producing PVC flex banners, the environmental impact of PVC flex banners due to annihilation, and reuse and recycling methods for PVC flex banners. One of these opportunities is upcycling, which is an important part of the reuse strategy. These flex banners can be reused in the fashion industry as upcycled products [high-value functional and aesthetic products] and accessories through zero-waste fashion production processes [especially used in pattern designing and cutting stages]. These include primarily bags and luggage, apparel, footwear, worker uniforms, and accessory upcycle products. Based on findings from the systematic review, it recommends a conceptual framework that emphasises the impact of end-of-life PVC flex banners and offers ways for reuse that avoid piling in landfills, incineration, and burying these wastes under the soil, reducing the impact on the environment. The studies suggesting the production of upcycling products from end-of-life PVC flex banners by the zero-waste fashion production process have not been sufficiently researched and reported, and they are a novel method of reusing resources.