As Australia sharpens its focus on lowering environmental impacts and shifting from a linear to a circular economy, plastic pipes are increasingly becoming the preferred choice for infrastructure renewal and upgrade projects.
Designed for durability and recyclability, plastic pipes align strongly with circular economy principles. They minimise waste and pollution, remain in use for decades, and are recyclable at end-of-life. These attributes are especially amplified when combined with trenchless installation methods, such as directional drilling, pipe cracking, slip lining, and swage lining, which significantly reduce disturbance to the environment and communities.
“One of the important features of plastic pipes is their design life,” PIPA Executive General Manager Cindy Bray said.
“They are intended and designed to last over 100 years under typical environmental conditions – remaining functional and low-maintenance when installed correctly and used as intended.”
Plastic pipes are manufactured efficiently in clean production facilities with low emissions and low embodied energy.
Where suitable, recycled pre- and post-consumer materials can be incorporated in accordance with relevant standards, ensuring performance is maintained whether pipes are made from virgin or recycled materials.
In support of informed, evidence-based material selection, PIPA recently commissioned two independent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies through Edge Impact. These studies, aligned with ISO 14040/44 and underpinned by third-party verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), compare the environmental performance of plastic pipe systems – including PE, PP, and PVC – with traditional materials such as ductile iron and steel-reinforced concrete.
Covering key infrastructure applications like water supply and drainage, the studies evaluated a wide range of environmental indicators: carbon footprint, water use, energy consumption, transport emissions, and recyclability.
“While no one material outperforms across all categories, the LCA results show that plastic pipes consistently deliver strong advantages – particularly in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving water, and supporting circular economy outcomes through local manufacturing and recyclability,” Bray said.
These findings are particularly relevant as governments and infrastructure providers pursue climate-resilient, cost-effective and lower-impact solutions.
Plastic pipes paired with trenchless technology provide further environmental and financial benefits. Trenchless methods allow for installation without large-scale excavation, reducing disruption to ecosystems, waterways, roadways and urban environments.
“Plastic pipes used in buried infrastructure like water will likely never be dug up, even at the end of their long service life,” Bray said.
“They’ll become a host pipe for a new pipe, inserted using trenchless techniques, saving enormous energy and material inputs, while avoiding environmental and community disruption.”
These installation methods also reduce the need for restoration works, traffic management, spoil disposal and waterway protection, resulting in significant cost savings and carbon reductions over the lifecycle of the asset.
To ensure the longevity of plastic pipe systems, proper welding and installation is critical. PIPA’s Industry Technical Guideline POP003: Butt Fusion Jointing of PE Pipes and Fittings, reflects global best practices and offers guidance on equipment, operator competence, quality assurance, site records, and testing.
“This guideline also offers important insights for asset owners and project managers,” Bray said.
“By understanding the role of welder competency in long-term asset performance, they can make more informed decisions during procurement such as specifying minimum qualification levels in quotes and tenders. Ensuring operators are properly trained and regularly certified is essential for critical infrastructure.”
The revised POP003 guideline and the full LCA comparative studies can be found on the PIPA website.
Plastic pipes combined with trenchless installation represent a smart, sustainable solution for Australia’s infrastructure future. With verified environmental performance, long design life, and the ability to support circularity, they provide a powerful pathway toward cost-effective, low-impact, and resilient pipeline networks.
“By using resources responsibly through better design, we’re working smarter,” Bray said. “We’re committed to creating a healthier environment and a more sustainable future.”
For more information, visit pipa.com.au
This article was featured in the August edition of Trenchless Australasia.
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