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 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.