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Plastic pipes and tubes are two of the most widely used materials in several industries for transporting liquids and gases of all types. They have a large market in a wide range of applications, such as agriculture, underwater, mining and landfill gas extraction. Many technicians prefer plastic over metal for many reasons: they are more lightweight, cost-efficient, and corrosion resistant – the ideal partner for long-term transport solutions.
In the rural sector, a specific kind of plastic pipe is becoming more and more popular. They are called high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes. HDPE pipes are flexible plastic pipes, usually in black color, that are commonly used in areas that are constantly exposed to extremely cold or hot environments.
Since soil moves as temperatures rise and fall, HDPE pipes provide the stability that farmers and rural workers need. Poly pipes are highly versatile and can bend to almost any kind of soil movement, especially when they are accompanied by high-quality rural poly compression fittings. This means that whatever the environmental conditions are, poly pipes can adapt to them.
The Power of Polypropylene
While the traditional pipes are constructed from polyvinyl chloride, copper, steel, polypropylene is becoming the material of choice. Polypropylene is a sought-after material for sewage pipes and other kinds of pipes because of the vast array of benefits it provides for reliable liquid transport.
High impact and high-tech and polypropylene are excellent alternatives to the polyvinyl chloride that many plastic tubes and pipes were once made from. HDPE pipes offer excellent resistance to mold, rust, weather damage, and corrosion from consistent exposure to tough climate conditions. It is a stronger, more hard-wearing material that allows manufacturers to create pipes that are lightweight yet extremely durable for heavy duty piping needs.
The Environmental Responsibility Upheld by Poly Pipes
The Plastic Pipe Institute (PPI) and Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia (PIPA) are two major organizations that are at the forefront of environmentally responsible plastic pipe systems across the world. Together with the American government as well as the Green Building Council of Australia, the two institutions work constructively and transparently with government officials to pursue environmental change and improvement. They all work according to a shared belief that the future of plastic pipes is inseparable from the national and global pursuit of sustainable development.
Plastic pipes meet the needs of this generation by being the carrier of choice for major water savings projects and urban water utilities in both rural and regional areas of the US and Australia. HDPE pipes are slowly becoming known as the ‘greenest’ pipe on the market for the migration of water and wastewater, ensuring environmental responsibility in many ways:
- A simplified manufacturing process
Poly pipes are made from HDPE resin and don’t involve complex processes when producing them in factories or warehouses. This means that these pipes use significantly less energy to produce compared to other materials, such as concrete and iron.
- Reduced fuel requirements
Since poly pipes are flexible and lightweight, transporting them to water and wastewater sites requires far less fuel than competing piping systems that are much heavier. Engine and fuel use is cut down to almost half when compared to other kinds of pipes on the market.
- Low-impact installation practices
The flexible and lightweight makeup of HDPE pipes utilises horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and other trenchless operations that have minimal impact on the environment. HDD is especially well suited for highly congested municipalities and environmentally sensitive areas because of the minimally intrusive installation process that pipes undergo.
Managing the ‘End-of-Life’ for Plastic Pipes
Every time a material is produced in massive amounts, it has the potential to become an economic and environmental drain. Because of this, recycling has become increasingly important to society and is essential for businesses now more than ever in the age of mass production. When you choose to recycle used materials, you manage limited resources, reduce costs o
n production and minimise the waste you send to landfills.
There is a widely held misconception that plastics are the most challenging materials to manage once they are disposed of. This can be true for some cases, especially for more other types of plastic or companies with no proper disposal programs. However, HDPE pipes provide its users with many opportunities for responsible recycling.
PlastiCycle, Commercial Plastics Recycling, and EZA Recycling are three major companies in the USA that offer recycling services for poly pipes. They purchase used poly pipes and use them to manufacture a variety of plastic products. They all have more than a decade’s worth of experience in the plastic industry, ensuring that the end-of-life cycle for the pipes are secure and managed properly.
Instead of paying for costly pick-up services, you can sell your waste to these companies and make money for your waste. Small and large businesses benefit from their services and earn cash in the process. They operate at every stage of the recycling chain, from collecting the waste from your location to processing the materials in their recycling facility.
Carry On Strong
The European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association (TEPPFA) organises ambitious programmes that boost the collection and recycling of plastic pipe waste across the country. The organisation also invests in recycling
technologies for fully recyclable plastic pipes.
Gryphon Eco Solutions is a collection and trading business that specialises in HDPE pipe recycling. They aim to reduce road use, minimise emissions occurring within the waste management supply chain and ensure the best waste collection service for products that do not break down naturally in landfills, HDPE pipes included.
The environmental benefits of recycling are irrefutable. We protect the environment by putting our waste to good use. When you choose to with companies who value the environment, you contribute to their goal of making this planet a better place.
The key to your success lies in your commitment to sustainability. Become environmentally responsible and entrust your recycling needs to professionals.
