DGCOS founding member, Ideal Window Solutions, has launched a new closed loop recycling service.

Faisal Hussain, DGCOS’ chief executive, commented: “Ideal Window Solutions is a DGCOS member which has operated as a window and door installer for over 25 years, working on new build developments with housebuilders, as well as domestic and retail installation for general consumers. The company has been associated with DGCOS for over 14 years.

“In addition to the installation side of the business, it has an active maintenance and repair division. The upshot of the service level it delivers is the longevity of its customer relationships. When the window and door products Ideal Window Solutions provide are truly at end of life, those customers tend to come back for replacements and now, the closed group recycling service will extend that service and customer relationships further.”

Thom Emerson, sales & marketing director of Ideal Window Solutions, said: “We’re really pleased to be launching this closed loop recycling scheme (supported by our key suppliers Epwin, Emplas, St Gobain, and Padiham Glass) at a time when sustainability is so important to all of us.

“Well maintained PVC-U windows and doors in their original state have an average lifespan of between 30 and 40 years. But the PVC-U material used in the frames can also be recyclable up to 10 times and still maintain its performance. Furthermore, glass can be infinitely recycled without suffering any deterioration in performance.

“Reusing the PVC-U by grounding, melting and remoulding old window and door frames, results in a potential cumulative lifetime of 400 years from a single window or door. A replacement PVC-U window frame can contain up to 45% recycled content and the PVC-U recovery and refinement process achieves 99% purity,” continued Thom.

“Introducing glass and PVU-C waste back into the manufacturing process not only helps to conserve raw materials and reduce landfill, it achieves significant cuts in energy consumption and emissions, too.

“The aim of the scheme is for all our PVC-U windows and doors to be recovered in Britain, recycled in Britain and remade in Britain, which in itself brings even more sustainable benefits. We’re bringing a new lease of life for old windows and doors because consigning old products to landfill simply cannot be justified.”