A story of transformation and hope has emerged in Louisville, KY. The Revinylize Recycling Collaborative, the Polymeric Exterior Products Association鈥檚 (PEPA) expanding national recycling program, recently partnered with numerous organizations with an innovative idea for a greener, stronger community 鈥� 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鈥檚 recovery home using sustainable vinyl siding.听
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.听
Matt Dobson, Vice President of PEPA, explained that the Louisville project exemplifies the collaborative鈥檚 commitment to reclaim, recycle and repeat. 鈥淟ouisville is setting the stage for other locations across North America to embrace sustainable growth through innovative recycling solutions,鈥� Dobson said.听
A Mission of 鈥淩ebirth鈥� and a Community Joining Together
The New Leaf Clinic, a nonprofit 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鈥檚 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.听The effort not only elevated the home鈥檚 exterior but also symbolized the recovery journey of its residents, emphasizing the power of community and innovation. Project highlights include:听
- 2,000-3,000 pounds of vinyl siding were diverted from landfills and recycled.听
- New siding has extended the home鈥檚 lifespan while reducing its environmental impact.
- The project saved time and costs while inspiring other community organizations.听
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鈥� recovery, a critical component of its mission. 鈥淲e are so excited for this house to be blessed with new siding from Revinylize,鈥� Kaestner said. 鈥淚t lifts up the prestige and visibility of our home in this neighborhood. Recovery is all about re-birth, and so is Revinylize, so it鈥檚 wonderful for us to be a part of their work here.鈥�听
Inspiring Future Generations
Beyond the home鈥檚 physical transformation, the initiative symbolizes a sustainable path forward for Louisville. Representatives from the City of Louisville鈥檚 Waste Management District expressed interest in scaling this model citywide, while Hand in Hand, a neighboring nonprofit, shared their enthusiasm for future partnerships.听鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about recycling materials; it鈥檚 about renewing hope,鈥� said Maura Cautilli, Executive Director of Hand in Hand. 鈥淭his project shows what鈥檚 possible when we work together to uplift our community.鈥�听