Not all plastics are the same—especially when it comes to critical infrastructure like water, sewer, and drainage networks.
Our new Discussion Paper explores The Use of Recycled Content in Plastic Pipes, highlighting the plastic pipe industry’s commitment to sustainability, safety, and performance.
🔵 Plastic pipes are engineered products—not single-use plastics.
🟢 Designed to last 100+ years, they offer durability, recyclability, and circular economy benefits.
🟡 Most pipes are still in their first life, meaning recycled feedstock is limited—but the industry is actively recovering and reusing suitable materials.
The paper also raises an important point:
📉 Short-term recycling targets don’t always work for long-life products.
⚠️ Misapplied recycling quotas can lead to unsafe or unsuitable material use.
Instead, we need a smarter approach to circularity—one that values longevity, reuse, and resource efficiency, rather than recycling for recycling’s sake.
âś… Australian and international standards already support recycled content in non-pressure pipes and controlled rework in pressure systems.
Read the full paper to learn how the plastic pipe industy is supporting a truly circular economy.
