There are countless reasons why cast iron rainwater pipes are a good choice for your exterior guttering, but unquestionably one of the best reasons is that it’s less harmful, environmentally speaking, than PVC alternatives. In this blog post, we’ll be delving into the harm that plastic rainwater pipes can do, and why cast iron pipes are a more sustainable option in the longer term.

We’re Facing a Plastic Crisis

You’ve probably read about the damage plastic has been causing over the past few years. Our reliance on single-use plastics has led to vast swathes of the world’s oceans being polluted with microplastics, which in turn is impacting ecosystems and the flora and fauna within. PVC rainwater goods are undoubtedly cheap to mass manufacture, but that lack of cost comes at a greater cost, ecologically. Another issue is the relative frequency with which PVC rainwater goods need replacing.

Short Shelf Life

Another issue with PVC rain goods is that their cheapness to manufacture is unfortunately reflected in the brevity of their practical lifespan. Most PVC pipes will, at the very best, last for a decade or two before, before they need replacing once more. That means you’re going to be introducing not just one piece of new plastic into the lifecycle, but several over the course of your property’s lifetime.

Cast Iron Lasts a Long Time

Unlike PVC, cast iron rainwater goods last a very long time when looked after properly. Provided you carry out routine maintenance on your rainwater goods, there’s no reason why the cast iron shouldn’t still be in good working order even a century down the line. At the end of its useful lifespan, cast iron can also then be recycled and turned into something fresh and new. Clearly, cast iron isn’t environmentally perfect; it’s manufactured using an energy-intensive melting process, but as we’ll go on to see, it’s still arguably preferable to PVC alternatives.

Manufactured in the UK

What’s more, with our particular cast iron rainwater goods, each item is produced in a foundry here in the United Kingdom. So, rather than being imported from the other side of the world, the greenhouse emissions produced from transporting the pipes is much, much less than it would be otherwise. Research has found that cast iron has a significantly lower impact when it comes to CO2 emissions and energy consumption, as well as having lower overall costs over a 100-year lifecycle. Biased though we may be, it’s hard to look past statistics like these.

Final Thoughts…

Not only do cast iron rainwater goods look great, provide great longevity and even better reliability, they’re environmentally sustainable, too. To find out more about our cast iron rainwater goods or accessories, then visit our shop here. If you have any questions about our cast iron products, or the manner in which they’re manufactured, then don’t hesitate to get in touch. Call us on 01752 917 497 or by filling out one of our online contact forms.