A “GREEN” INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTION

Sustainability refers to our ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (15,16) In the context of our daily lives, it may be thought of as the intersection of social, environmental and economic responsibility.

The plastic pipe industry continues to evolve by building avenues for recycling along the entire value chain, reducing its carbon footprint, and continually improving its life-cycle cost position relative to other pipeline construction materials. PPI and its member companies are committed to progress in each of these key areas. It is core to our business. As such, the specification and installation of plastic pipe represents a responsible investment in a sustainable pipeline infrastructure or, on a more personal level, a socially, environmentally and economically responsible investment for generations to come.

References:
1) Singhabhaandhu, Ampaitepin, Tetsuo Tezuka, “The waste-to-energy framework for integrated multi-waste utilization: Waste cooking oil, waste lubricating oil and waste plastics”, Kyoto University, Elsevier Ltd, 2010
2) ASTM F2306, “Standard Specification for 12 to 60 in (300 to 1500 mm) Annular Corrugated Profile-Wall Polyethylene (PE) Pipe and Fittings for Gravity-Flow Storm Sewer and Subsurface Drainage Applications”, ASTM International, West Connshohocken, 2020.
3) Sherman, L.M., “One of the First Biobased Nylons Turns 70”, Plastics Technology, Cincinnati, 2017
4) Franklin Associates, Ltd., “Comparative Energy Evaluation of Plastic Products and Their Alternatives for the Building and Construction and Transportation Industries”, Overland Park, KS, 1991.

5) 23 CFR 658.17, Federal – Aid Policy Guide, 1999
6) Ariaratnam, S.T., et al, “Head-to-Head Comparison of Open-Cut vs HDD: City of Yuma, A Water Line Replacement Project”, No-Dig 2017, North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT) No-Dig 2017, Washington DC, 2017
7) “The Contribution of Plastic Products to Resource Efficiency”, GUA Gesellschaft fur Umfassende Analysen GmbH, Vienna, 2005
8) Franklin Associates, Ltd., “Life Cycle Assessment of North American Municipal Stormwater Pipe Systems, Final Peer Reviewed Report”, 2020.
9) Ambrose, Michael, et al, “Life Cycle Analysis of Water Networks”, Plastic Pipes XIV, Budapest, 2008
10) 100 Year Service Life of Polypropylene and Polyethylene Gravity Sewer Pipes”. The European Plastic Pipes and Fitting Association, 2014.
11) “The State of Water Loss Control in Drinking Water Utilities”, American Water Works Association, Denver, 2016
12) “Polyethylene plastic pipe systems vs ductile iron environmental impact comparison”, The European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association (TEPPFA), Brussels
13) “PP structures (twin wall) plastics pipe systems vs concrete environmental impact comparison”, The European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association (TEPPFA), Brussels
14) “Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipe systems vs copper environmental impact comparison”, The European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association (TEPPFA), Brussels
15) World Commission on Environment and Development, Our Common Future, (The Bruntland Report), Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1987
16) National Research Council, Sustainability and the US EPA, National Academies Press, Washington DC, 2011