HDPE – The Versatile Plastic With a Myriad Uses

What was life like before the development of high density polyethylene, also known as HDPE?

Well, everything was much heavier, for a start. Concrete, terracotta, glass and steel were common alternatives to HDPE.

Our stormwater drains were previously made of concrete. With some still in use today, they are vulnerable to cracking, breakage and the penetration of tree roots. In contrast, HDPE stormwater drains are impermeable to tree roots, unless they have cracked.

Today, HDPEis one of Australia's, and the world's, most commonly used plastic material. And for good reason - it is strong, lightweight, can be UV- ...