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Thermoplastics
Environment and Health
Better for the environment and health
Thermoplastics play a vital role in making our water supply and sewer systems safe for the environment, and for human health.
Cast iron and ductile iron represent 50% of the buried piping systems currently in use in North America. They are also the materials with the highest failure rate. More than 200,000 breaks occur every year in the U.S. and Canada. Reducing water main corrosion and breakage is key to addressing the current water quality crisis in North America.
In contrast, studies have shown that not only does PVC offer the lowest failure rate of any piping material, but the number of failures actually declines with age. In addition, plastics consume just 2% of our oil and natural gas resources. And thermoplastic resins require less energy to produce than most alternative materials.
In iron distribution pipe, layers of bacteria attach to and feed on the interior walls of the pipe. This "biofouling" occurs most heavily on corroded surfaces. Unlike metal pipe, PVC does not serve as a nutrient for bacteria growth, and its smooth interior surface is less prone to the build-up of encrustants. What's more, because it does not react chemically with drinking water, vinyl doesn't corrode.
In a related area, Recover, Recycle and Reuse programs are a growing trend in the piping industry. Companies and municipalities that generate significant quantities of scrap are now selling these materials rather than disposing of them in landfills. At IPEX, we use a substantial percentage of recycled plastic in many of our products.
For interesting stories on the commitment IPEX is making to help care for the environment, click on the links below.
According to the current U.S. corrosion study, the direct cost of metallic corrosion (in the United States) is $276 billion on an annual basis. This represents 3.1% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product.
Source: “Corrosion: A Natural but Controllable Process.” Supplement to Materials Performance, July 2002.
The Recycling Council of Ontario recognized our Bermondsey facility in Toronto with a 2002/2003 Silver Business Award for demonstrating a significant contribution to waste reduction measures. Five other facilities in the Toronto area are now adopting similar policies.
IPEX is also a member of the Vinyl Council and an active participant in the ‘Environmental Management Program’ which, with the help of a public advisory council, sets environmental stretch goals and objectives within the vinyl industry.
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