EMISSIONS REDUCTION
The key to long-lasting plastic pipes and fittings Playing a vital role, plastic pipe systems deliver essential everyday services from civil and domestic infrastructure to agricultural, mining and gas. PIPA’s sustainability story To help educate across a wide range of audiences, PIPA has developed key messages to tell its sustainability story. Not all plastics are the same and too often pipe systems are mistakenly put in the same category as single use plastics.
PIPA represents manufacturers and suppliers of plastic pipes and fittings.
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he Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia (PIPA) was founded in 1999 and is the peak industry body representing manufacturers and suppliers of plastic pipes and fittings, plastic resin suppliers, fabricators, pipeline installers, rubber seal ring manufacturers along with training and certification bodies. As a non-profit association, PIPA works to promote the appropriate and contemporary use of plastic pipes and fittings throughout Australia. This is achieved through our four key pillars of advocate, educate, technical and sustainability. Executive General Manager Cindy Bray says Australia’s vast landscapes require largescale, special purpose systems to move water, wastewater, gas and to protect underground networks of power and communication cables. “We know that potential that plastic pipeline systems provide for long life, sustainable infrastructure that supports the circular economy,” she says. “Not only are plastic pipes smart, efficient, and sustainable but so are the trenchless installation methods used. Plastic pipes are the 24 TRENCHLESS AUSTRALASIA APRIL 2022
preferred choice to replace and upgrade other pipes throughout the world. This is due to their performance, durability, service life, simplicity of installation, energy efficiency, recyclability, and overall cost effectiveness.”
PIPA says pipes are long-life products made from materials engineered to be robust, reliable, and recyclable.
Plastic pipe systems deliver essential everyday services and utilities When thinking about the network of pipelines under the ground there are many vital roles they play from delivering drinking water, gas and electricity to homes and communities. Bray says the network of wires and cables that deliver internet and communication services are used in irrigation systems that are essential for growing food. Plastic pipes also carry away sewerage, rainwater, and stormwater – protecting communities. “In recent years the water industry has also embraced PE particularly when trenchless installation techniques like directional drilling, pipe cracking, slip and swage lining have led to increased usage in water and wastewater applications,” she says. “These allow for fewer disruptions during installation or repair of existing pipelines, allowing flexibility and cost-
