From building waste to building gardens
In Aarhus, the second largest city in Denmark, potatoes, herbs and tomatoes grow in large PVC pipes. The scene is a VinylPlus®-supported project, that has collected partners amongst academics, architects, local authorities and industry, and that aims to establish sustainable food production with reused PVC building waste.
Plants don't discriminate – how to grow vegetables in reused PVC pipes
In Aarhus, the second largest city in Denmark, potatoes, herbs and tomatoes grow in large PVC pipes. The scene is a VinylPlus®-supported project, that has collected partners amongst academics, architects, local authorities and industry, and that aims to establish sustainable food production with reused PVC building waste.
Plastic Pipes XX Conference in Amsterdam
The Plastic Pipes Conference Association has announced the venue for PPXX: Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The conference takes place on 21-23 September 2020 at the Hotel Okura.
Why use PVC in piping systems?
PVC pipes are used for a wide range of applications due to the plastic material's unique combination of properties: safety, durability/cost-efficiency, sustainability and recyclability. PVC4Pipes is the ECVM's platform to communicate about the use of PVC in pipe systems in the global market.
PVC pipes – the safe choice
Why are PVC pipes so widely used for transportation of drinking water? A key reason is safety: PVC pipes have a high degree of inertness and resistance to corrosion. These pipes are therefore free from bio-film contamination that can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
PVC pipes – the durable & cost-efficient choice
PVC pipes are durable & cost-efficient: The first PVC piping systems were installed over 80 years and most of these are still in use. The expected lifespan of a PVC pipe is 100 years or more for underground pipes. PVC piping systems show a much lower failure rate than other materials. Durability, in combination with low maintenance and installation costs, makes PVC pipes a very cost-efficient choice.
PVC pipes – the best choice for the environment
PVC pipes have clear environmental advantages over traditional materials. As PVC is a low carbon plastic, PVC pipes require less energy and fewer resources to manufacture. Due to their low weight, less energy is used when transported. PVC pipes last long with a minimum of maintenance and they are easily recyclable. Many new PVC pipes contain recyclates. For instance three-layer pipes where the core layer is made of recycled PVC. Moreover, the ultra-smooth surface of PVC pipes reduces pumping costs and energy use, and their leak-free fittings eliminate water loss. This is good for both the environment and the utility bill.
PVC pipes – recyclable several times
PVC pipes are easily recyclable and can be recycled several times without losing their technical properties. The VinylPlus® programme ensures that around 50,000 tonnes of PVC pipes are collected and recycled each year. The recyclate goes into new pipes and many other PVC applications. Traceability and certification schemes for recyclates ensure a high degree of safety and quality for the recycled PVC.
PVC pipes have the lowest break rates
Each time a water main breaks the result is floods, service disruptions, economic losses and loss of a precious resource – water. A 2018 study by Utah State University confirms that PVC has the lowest break rates of all common pipe materials in North America.
How PVC pipes can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals
Dr. Mark Everard, UWE Bristol explains how PVC pipes can contribute directly to a number of the 169 targets within the SDGs and have an enabling effect on others. By providing safe, durable and cost-effective piping systems for drinking water, PVC pipes can help achieve Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and its targets to improve access to safe and affordable drinking water, improve water quality, and increase water-use efficiency. In developing countries in particular, access to piped, clean water can have a massive impact. Women, who most often are responsible for supplying drinking water, experience greater equality (Goal 5) and because time is freed up they have easier access to education (Goal 4). Other positive effects of clean water transported through pipes linked to the SDGs are improved food production (Goal 2 – Zero Hunger), which enables Good Health and Well-being (Goal 3). Piped, clean water also lifts the pressure on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems (Goal 15 – Life on Land and Goal 14 – Life Below Water).
Water main break rates in North America
Dr. Steven Folkman, author of "Water Main Break Rates In the USA and Canada: A Comprehensive Study", presents the findings from his 2018 update to the original 2012 report. The main conclusion is that PVC pipes have the lowest break rate of the most used water pipe materials.
Water infrastructure in North America
Bruce Hollands, Executive Director of the PVC Pipe Association of North America, presents the status of water infrastructure in North America. A new study shows that over 40% of North America's water infrastructure is in disrepair and needs replacement. PVC piping is the safe, durable, cost-efficient, sustainable and recyclable choice.
Georganne Burke on NAFTA
The Vinyl Institute of Canada interviews Georganne Burke on North American relations.
Testing PVC-O pipe in the field
PVC-O pipes have amazing resistance to damage, as the extreme abuse tests in this video demonstrate.
PVC pipes lower water main break rates
Water main breaks cost money and cause trouble. Of all piping materials, PVC pipes have the lowest failure rates.
VinylPlus – committed to sustainable development
VinylPlus® is the European PVC industry's sustainable development programme. The programme ensures that PVC pipes and other PVC products are collected and recycled. Almost 640,000 tonnes of PVC waste are recycled through VinylPlus each year. VinylPlus was developed through open dialogue with stakeholders, including industry, NGOs, regulators, civil society representatives and PVC users. Five key challenges have been identified for PVC on the basis of The Natural Step System Conditions for a Sustainable Society. The regional scope of the programme is the EU-28 plus Norway and Switzerland.