The environmental acceptability of sheet steel products comes primarily from their durability and recyclability. Recycling of steel is easy, without any loss of quality (unlike many plastics, for example, which can only be realistically 'downcycled'). Currently approximately 50% of all world steel comes from recycled sources. A galvanised steel guttering system is easily recycled, durable and economical, yet probably easier to install than a PVC system.
PVC guttering systems are now the most widely available, and most popular roof drainage systems in the UK. Yet PVC is a particularly environmentally damaging plastic, in practice un-recyclable, and produces highly toxic by-products at both ends of its lifecycle. Greenpeace is currently campaigning for a complete phasing out of PVC for all uses. The Swedish government, many local authorities and 'green' architects agree and are eliminating or restricting the use of PVC from their buildings. Even the UK government bowed to pressure from environmentalists, and removed PVC from the Millenium Dome roof.
PVC guttering systems also have other inherent problems. They tend to discolour and become brittle with age, they are not inherently rigid (needing a large number of fixings) and suffer large thermal movement. Alternatives for guttering systems include cast iron, cast aluminium, copper, timber, all of which have limitations, for reasons of weight, cost, or difficulty of installation.
Important information on plastisol coating
Lindab has recently phased out use of plastisol coating on its coated range of guttering, replacing it with a high-build polyester coating. The plastisol coating did contain some PVC but now the entire Lindab Rainline range is completely PVC-free, with the high-build polyester coating providing a high quality alternative.
