New initiative expands vinyl roofing industry’s sustainability journey beyond the factory floor
November 19, 2025—The Coated Fabrics and Film Association (CFFA) has launched Pathway to Circularity, a new industry initiative focused on advancing post-consumer recycling of mechanically fastened PVC (vinyl) roofing. The program represents the next step in the vinyl roofing industry’s evolution toward a truly circular system, one in which materials live on well beyond their first use.
Building on the success of its first initiative, Pathway to Zero, which helped manufacturers achieve near-total elimination of production scrap, Pathway to Circularity extends CFFA’s sustainability leadership through the end of a roof’s life. Together, the initiatives form the association’s Pathway Programs, marking a comprehensive approach to reducing waste across every stage of a PVC roof’s lifecycle.
“With Pathway to Circularity, we’re inviting the entire value chain—manufacturers, contractors, architects, and building owners—to participate in a regenerative roofing cycle,” said Bill Bellico, marketing chair of CFFA. “Our goal is to make recycling existing PVC roofing as straightforward and cost-effective as possible, while demonstrating the long-term value of sustainable design.”
PVC roofing membranes are inherently recyclable and can be repurposed repeatedly without significant loss of performance. Through mechanical separation and material recovery, old PVC roofs can be transformed into new roofing membranes and other products such as flooring, roof walkways, and landscaping expansion joints, helping to prevent usable material from entering landfills.
Recycling an existing PVC roof can be easily added into most re-roofing projects, requiring only a few additional steps. Costs are offset through the elimination of landfill fees, making recycling both environmentally and economically advantageous. CFFA has produced a short instructional video demonstrating the simple eight-step process for recycling PVC roofing membranes. Watch it here: https://vinylroofs.org/sustainability/post-consumer-recycling/#roof-recycling-video
For more information on PVC roofing sustainability and the Pathway Initiatives, visit https://vinylroofs.org.
