Recyclability and disposal issues. Vinyl
wallcoverings have a long useful life. As such, they compose a
very small fraction of the materials that are disposed in
landfills each year. In addition, most vinyl wallcovering
manufacturers are actively recycling to minimize waste related
to the manufacture of the product. Due to conditions in
landfills, studies have shown that most materials - including
wallpapers - do not biodegrade when discarded. Although the
conventional assumption is that biodegradability in a landfill
is an environmental benefit, it actually could pose a threat
to the environment. When materials biodegrade, they can
release chemicals into the landfill that potentially can reach
the groundwater. Vinyl is so stable in landfills that vinyl
membranes have been used as landfill liners.
Energy efficiency. Compared to other
plastics, the production of vinyl requires far less of the
world's limited fossil fuel resources. The energy required to
manufacture vinyl wallcoverings is only half as much as the
amount needed to produce the same amount of paper
wallcoverings.
Indoor air quality. Vinyl
wallcoverings have a relatively low potential for odors or
emissions and have not been identified as a source of "sick
building syndrome." In fact, studies show considerably higher
levels of volatile organic compounds from paint than from
vinyl wallcoverings. Painting a room with oil- and/or
solvent-based paints can result in emissions of approximately
nine times the amount of VOCs released by vinyl wallcoverings
that incorporate water-based adhesives and inks. Tests have
shown that the initial odor in vinyl wallcoverings, attributed
to stabilizers and plasticizers used in the manufacturing
process, will dissipate much faster than the odors of most
paints.
