Polyvinyl chloride (abbreviated: PVC) is the world's third-most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer (after polyethylene and polypropylene). About 40 million tons of PVC are produced each year.

Recycled PVC polyvinyl chloride comes in two basic forms: rigid (sometimes abbreviated as RPVC) and flexible. The rigid form of recycled PVC polyvinyl chloride is used in construction for pipe and in profile applications such as doors and windows. Recycled PVC polyvinyl chloride is also used in making bottles, non-food packaging, food-covering sheets, and cards (such as bank or membership cards). Recycled PVC polyvinyl chloride can be made softer and more flexible by the addition of plasticizers, the most widely used being phthalates. In this form, recycled PVC polyvinyl chloride is also used in plumbing, electrical cable insulation, imitation leather, flooring, signage, phonograph records, inflatable products, and many applications where it replaces rubber. With cotton or linen, it is used in the production of canvas.

Pure polyvinyl chloride is a white, brittle solid. It is insoluble in alcohol but slightly soluble in tetrahydrofuran.