The Environmental Benefits of CIPP Lining Over Traditional Methods

There is not a single industry that hasn’t fallen under the spotlight of sustainability in recent years, and the need to become greener across operations and business management.

However, some sectors pose more of a threat to the environment than others, with drainage infrastructure and pipe replacement up there alongside construction as one of the most damaging in terms of material use and ground disturbance.

That is, traditional pipe replacement has long posed an environmental problem.

Until the emergence of new technology in 1971, when Insituform arrived on the market with a trenchless solution. Since then, the industry has changed, and CIPP liners have embraced many environmental benefits that push traditional pipe replacement methods out of line.

The Problem with Traditional Pipe Replacement

The best way to spotlight an innovative solution is to first discuss the problem that exists or existed prior to that solution.

Before CIPP liners and trenchless pipe rehabilitation rose to the forefront of the sector, damaged pipes caused several levels of damage – first in the leaking waste or water disrupting local infrastructure, and then in the closure of roads and routes while the pipe was excavated, removed, and replaced.

What’s more, when every damaged pipe had to be either removed and repaired, or replaced entirely, the demand on new materials was huge – with unwanted and damaged pipes becoming waste and landfill.

Why CIPP is the Greener Choice

In contrast, CIPP liners offer a remote means of rehabilitating the pipe, restoring it to full working function without excavating it or even breaking ground.

Because CIPP liners are trenchless in installation, they require minimal disturbance to the surrounding ground and have a much lower carbon footprint – not to mention they facilitate a much faster response to leaking and damaged pipes.

Both the personnel and machinery requirements are much lower too. When a pipe needs to be excavated, removed from the ground, and repaired or replaced, the workforce demand and cost is extensive. By comparison, feeding a CIPP liner into the pipe, activating, and then testing it, all require very little intervention.

CIPP liners also boast environmental benefits with regards to their material. Liners are made from up to 75% recycled material, with reputable manufacturers adhering to low emission and quality standards regulations.

Restoring Pipelines with CIPP Solutions

The installation and laying of pipes has an undeniable impact on the environment. But that doesn’t mean that upkeep, maintenance, and repair work have to have the same effect.

CIPP liners were developed and launched by Insituform in 1971 as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional replacement and repair. They not only preserve landscapes and public infrastructure, minimising the disruption of pipe damage and repair work, but they also extend the lifespan of each pipe and are made using recycled materials.

It has been reported by engineers all over the world that the water flowing through CIPP-repaired pipes is also significantly cleaner; a nod to the quality of the manufacturing process and the importance of effective installation.

Environmental benefits are, of course, not the only reason to choose CIPP liners for pipe rehabilitation. However, they do represent some of the most important advantages when future-proofing pipe networks and drainage systems.

To find out more about Insituform’s range of trenchless technologies, head to our products page.