Choosing the right material for underground utility access products isn’t just about upfront costs—it’s about ensuring performance, safety, and long-term value. Whether you're designing infrastructure to last a century or seeking faster, lighter solutions that save on labor and handling, understanding the trade-offs between cast iron and various plastic materials is essential. At Bingham & Taylor, we offer both, with deep expertise to help guide the best fit for your project.
Compare the strengths, costs, and performance of cast iron and plastic materials to select the right fit for your utility infrastructure.
Material selection for underground utility access products directly impacts construction costs, long-term reliability, and system performance. Engineers, municipalities, and contractors must weigh strength, durability, corrosion resistance, and installation requirements to make the best decision for their application.
In this article, we compare the benefits and trade-offs of cast iron and the plastic materials used by Bingham & Taylor—including standard ABS, our proprietary Bison™ ABS, and other engineered polymers used in our meter pits and Maverick™ lids. These options each serve different needs based on your project’s priorities, and our experts can help guide you to the best fit.
Strength and Load-Bearing Capacity
Cast iron stands out for its superior strength and structural integrity. It performs exceptionally well in high-traffic areas, deep trench installations, and road crossings—resisting soil movement and heavy loads without deformation. Its rigidity provides lasting alignment and stability in permanent installations.
ABS plastic—including our Bison™ product line—offers strength with added flexibility and significantly reduced weight. While plastic components may require careful trench preparation and engineering support for heavy-duty applications, Bison’s thick walls make it a top performer among plastic options. Our rotationally and injection-molded meter pits also offer strong, durable alternatives for many utility needs.
Longevity and Service Life
With proper coatings and installation, cast iron can last over 100 years. It’s the gold standard for long-term infrastructure that must serve generations.
ABS plastic, especially our Bison™ material, has a long service life—typically 50 to 70 years under ideal conditions. It’s resistant to wear, and when installed correctly, offers excellent reliability for decades.
Corrosion Resistance
All of Bingham & Taylor’s plastic materials, including ABS and Bison™, naturally resist corrosion. This makes them ideal for use in areas with high moisture content or corrosive soils, and eliminates the need for additional coatings.
Cast iron requires protective measures—such as cement-mortar linings or polyethylene/zinc coatings—to withstand corrosive environments. With these layers in place, cast iron performs reliably even under harsh conditions.
Installation and Handling
Plastic utility products are much lighter than cast iron, which makes them easier to transport, faster to install, and more cost-effective in terms of labor and equipment. These advantages can be significant on job sites with limited access or tight timelines.
Cast iron, while heavier and more labor-intensive to install, offers unmatched rigidity and trench stability—making it an ideal choice for infrastructure that must stand the test of time.
Cost Considerations
Plastic products, particularly those made from ABS, often provide savings in freight and installation. Our Bison™ line delivers excellent performance at a lower total installed cost compared to traditional cast iron—especially when labor and handling are factored in.
Cast iron may have higher upfront material costs, but its lifespan and low maintenance needs can provide long-term value, especially for municipalities or critical infrastructure.
Environmental Impact
Cast iron is highly sustainable. It’s made from up to 90% recycled content and is fully recyclable at the end of its service life. Its durability reduces the frequency of replacement and minimizes environmental waste.
Our plastic products are durable and long-lasting, though they are petroleum-based and less easily recycled at scale. That said, their lightweight nature can help reduce carbon emissions from transportation and installation.
Noise and Vibration
Cast iron naturally dampens sound and vibration, making it a preferred material in sound-sensitive areas like schools, hospitals, and residential neighborhoods.
Plastic materials can transmit sound more readily. In most outdoor utility applications, this is not a major issue, but cast iron remains superior when acoustic performance matters.
Regulatory and Code Compliance
Cast iron remains a code-specified material in many regions, particularly for water, sewer, and road infrastructure. Our cast iron products meet all current specifications and standards.
Plastic products are commonly accepted across a wide range of applications. At Bingham & Taylor, our plastic materials are engineered to meet demanding utility requirements while remaining compliant with industry standards.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the right material means understanding your project’s priorities:
For many projects, a hybrid approach offers the best of both worlds—using cast iron where needed, and plastic where flexibility and cost savings matter. Our CIP (Combination Iron & Plastic) options combine the best features of both.
At Bingham & Taylor, we’ve been developing and supplying underground utility access solutions for over 175 years. Whether your project calls for cast iron, plastic, or a hybrid solution, our team is here to help you make the right choice.