PET Plastic Bottles

PET plastic bottles are widely used and recycled worldwide. According to Google search results, PET is not only the most recyclable plastic but also the most recycled plastic in the United States.

Of the 306,000 tonnes of plastic bottles captured for recycling through local authority collections in 2011, PET bottles made up over half of the stream.

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Design and Recyclability of PET Bottles

Many aspects of bottle design affect their recyclability, and WRAP has collaborated with key industry players, including soft drink companies, to develop a matrix of recyclability categories. This focuses on producing plastic PET bottles that can be reprocessed back into plastic bottles.

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Re-use and Reprocessing of PET

Recycled PET (rPET) can be used to create various products such as new plastic bottles, clothing, fibrefill, industrial strapping, sheet and film, and automotive parts. This strong demand for recovered PET means that domestic demand for food-grade recycled plastics currently outstrips domestic supply.

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What is PET?

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is a type of clear, durable, and versatile plastic. It is the most recyclable and recycled plastic in the United States, making it a preferred material for beverage bottles. These bottles are specifically designed to be 100% recyclable.

The Environmental Impact of rPET

Using recycled PET rather than new plastic significantly reduces environmental impact. When used to produce new bottles, energy consumption is reduced by 79%, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are decreased by 67%. Beyond bottles, rPET is used in making winter jackets, rugs, playground equipment, dog beds, and more.

Efforts to Increase PET Bottle Recycling

America's leading beverage companies are committed to reducing their plastic footprint by collaborating with World Wildlife Fund, The Recycling Partnership, and Closed Loop Partners. Their goal is to increase the collection of plastic bottles to ensure they are remade into new bottles, thus preventing them from ending up in the environment.

Milestones in Recycling Initiatives

To date, these efforts have included the deployment of nearly 650,000 recycling bins in neighborhoods and the enhancement of equipment to process materials faster. Additionally, educational materials are being provided to help residents recycle properly, and modern collection policy solutions are being advocated to ensure plastic bottles become new bottles rather than pollutants.

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Progress in Using Recycled Plastic

Significant progress is being made, with more plastic bottles now being made from 100% recycled plastic. From 2018-2021, the inclusion of recycled plastic in bottles more than doubled, with most beverage bottles containing recycled plastic today.

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Community Engagement and Education

Beverage companies are not just focusing on recycling but also on community engagement. Providing educational workshops to inform the public about proper recycling techniques forms a crucial part of their strategy.

Looking Ahead

While there is still work to be done, the trajectory is promising. Companies continue to innovate and find ways to incorporate more recycled materials into their products, thus reducing reliance on new plastic and minimizing environmental impact.

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For more on how the beverage industry is working to get Every Bottle Back, please click here.

*Excludes Caps & Labels

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