Having worked with fabric structures for near on 30 years, we have stated quite sincerely that most of our covers have been recyclable, but the truth is we have never actually followed through on what happens to the covers at the end of their life - until recently, Technically they should have all been whisked back to the factories for re-manufacturing, but I have never collected one, in fact I do not know any organization who can even handle recycling of fabric structure covers.
Then we have the question of what happened to the PVC Covers at the end of their life, because they are grossly toxic monsters usually placed in land fill, whether burned to pollute poisons or left to rot for 10,000 years, breaking down into microplastics..
Is it Dooms Day for Fabric Structures? - no it is a wake up call to start managing these and other plastics and fibre-glass fabrics better.
PE (Polyethylene) is totally recyclable and can be melted down into it's oily beginnings to be reused many times over. Someone has to be responsible for gathering all plastic back at the end of its life then handing over to recycling.
PVC on the other hand is a plastic created using chemical processes to make it tough like concrete, or a flexible spray toughening treatment for canvas or other synthetic fibers. Pretty horrible to think our kids Jumpy Castles and other inflatable structures are toxifying in the sun, to eventually flake into micro plastic mush.
We know that the major fabric producers (who care about the environment and our health) are looking at this issue now and will respond with non-toxic solutions and recycling hubs.
Who is responsible? - we all are.
Stop Press:
Have a long Clear Span PE Container Shelter
selling at cost price plus shipping to any country
Manufactured to our design in China.
12 MW x 30 ML Canopy 3.5 Meters Apex.
Container Rail
No Wire or Aluminum Parts
Full Steel Arches and Beams
Twist Lock Connections
Special Box for easy repack and move
Recyclable Cover we can take back at end of life