Carolin Spirinckx, Peter Sejersen, Zoran Davidovski, Karolien Peeters
Papers # 2016 Berlin
For the European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association (TEPPFA) it is important to have an insight into the environmental aspects during the life-span of plastic pipe systems all the way from the cradle to the grave.
The result of the studies allows TEPPFA and its member companies to distinct (for the pipe systems considered) for which phases of the total life cycle the input and output material (or stream) is responsible for the environmental impact. Based on these results TEPPFA will be able to stress the environmental advantages of plastic pipe systems compared to systems made from traditional materials and raise the awareness of the environmental benefit of using plastic systems amongst developers, installers system owners.
TEPPFA has already published a number of comparative studies. This paper presents the latest one: Comparative LCA of the PVC-U versus the galvanized steel rain gutter system. The result in in line with the indications found in the previous comparative studies: The impact on the environment is relatively lower for plastic pipe systems, compared to similar products produces from traditional materials.