+Vantage Vinyl Spotlight: How Sika Sarnafil is Committed to Sustainability
In June, the Vinyl Sustainability Council launched the industry-wide sustainability initiative +Vantage VinylTM. The program allows Vinyl Sustainability Council members the opportunity to commit to certain goals that align with three of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
- Clean water and sanitation (SDG #6)
- Industry innovation and infrastructure (SDG #9)
- Responsible production and consumption (SDG #12)
In the +Vantage Vinyl program, the three impact categories that contribute to these SDGs are:
- Landfill diversion
- Emissions
- Health and safety
Participation in the +Vantage Vinyl program allows companies to improve their sustainability position using agreed upon industry criteria while advancing their reputation and leadership. Participation is verified through GreenCircle Certified, LLC, a respected independent third-party organization.
Sika Sarnafil, a leader in commercial roofing and waterproofing systems, is one of the early adaptors of the +Vantage Vinyl program. Here’s how they’re succeeding in two of the goals they’ve chosen to earn +Vantage Vinyl certification.
Landfill Diversion: Identify existing recycling case studies for publication and working business models.
This goal has turned out to be an easy way for Sika to tell their great recycling stories. For example, the Rogers Centre, the stadium where the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team plays, uses a Sika Sarnafil roof. The roof has lasted 30 years (which helps to speak to the durability of vinyl, for one thing), and they are now in the process of replacing it. Because Sika Sarnafil is the only roofing company that has a take back program, they are installing a new roof and will recycle the old vinyl membranes into new roofing membrane products.
Emission to Air: Survey critical vinyl value chain steps to identify air emissions reporting.
Sika will be participating in several surveys that will show gaps in the data and help them identify what they can do to further cut down on emissions.
What potential +Vantage Vinyl participants might not realize is that you’re already practicing sustainability efforts that go hand-in-hand with the program, like Sika Saranfil is.
“Every company is at a different stage in their sustainability efforts—some will be further advanced than others,” said Stan Graveline, Senior Vice President of Technical Services and Sustainability at Sika Sarnafil and Vinyl Sustainability Council Chairman. “But the process provides everyone with the opportunity to assess where they are at in their sustainability initiatives, highlight their accomplishments and develop a path for continuous improvement.”
