Recyclable Shutters: Closing the Loop with Eco-Conscious Disposal

An increasing number of environmentally-minded homeowners consider end-of-life recyclability when choosing shutters. Many modern materials allow responsible shutter recycling once they reach retirement.

PVC Shutters

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) shutters are widely recyclable once residents upgrade their windows. Contact your local vinyl shutter manufacturer to arrange recycling shutters into new product. Some brands may offer free takeback programs.

Aluminum Shutters

Aluminum can be recycled repeatedly without loss of quality. This makes aluminum window shutters a sustainable choice. Aluminum is accepted by most local recyclers. Remove any hardware pieces first.

Recycled Composite Shutter Recycling

Many composite shutters contain a high percentage of recycled materials like wood fiber, plastics and polymers. Brands like Excel Shutters recycle retired composite shutters into new production.

Recycling Vinyl Components

For wood and composite shutters with vinyl louvers, edge banding or other vinyl parts, remove the vinyl before standard recycling. Vinyl can be recycled into numerous products like flooring.

Reusing Old Shutters

Lightly worn shutters in usable condition make affordable options for home projects. Sell or donate old shutters for reuse rather than send intact pieces to the landfill. Modify sizes, paint, refresh hardware and install for a new shutter look.

Closing the Loop with Bamboo

Bamboo shutters close the loop as a highly renewable material. Retired bamboo shutter slats can be reprocessed into fibrous pulp and spun into new eco-friendly bamboo products.

Wood Waste Upcycling

Recycle clean wood waste during shutter manufacturing into biomass pellets, animal bedding and composite boards. Upcycle sawdust and small shreds into new purposes rather than send large amounts of untreated wood to landfills.

Responsible Hardware Recycling

Remove shutter hardware like hinges, knobs and hangers before recycling the main shutter body. Aluminum and steel hardware components are widely recyclable through scrap metal programs. Separate unique antique pieces for reuse.

Eco-Friendly Packaging Takeback

Leading brands promote sustainability by collecting shutter packaging for reuse. Return packaging like blanket wraps, corner protectors and cartons to distribution centers through takeback initiatives.

Charitable Building Material Donations

Wood and vinyl shutters in usable shape can be donated to organizations like Habitat for Humanity ReStores that resell building supplies to fund housing projects. This keeps shutters circulating locally.

Cradle to Cradle Manufacturing

Avoid shutters made using toxic chemicals that prevent safe recycling. Seek out eco-manufacturers like Shutterly committed to responsible end-of-life recycling through renewable energy, closed-loop water and safe inputs.

Plan shutter retirement by purchasing recyclable brands that disclose their sustainability initiatives. An eco-friendly choice today ensures environmentally responsible disposal tomorrow.