PET recycling reaches highest level since 1997PET recycling reaches highest level since 1997

David Bellm

January 30, 2014

2 Min Read
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The National Association for PET Container Resources(NAPCOR), the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR), and the PETResin Association (PETRA) announced today the release of the "2008 Report onPostconsumer PET Container Recycling Activity" and a 2008 PolyethyleneTerephthalate (PET) recycling rate of 27%.

 

This is the highest recycling rate in over ten years andrepresents an increase of 9.8% over the 2007 rate of 24.6%. Over 1.45 billionpounds of PET bottles were collected in the United States in 2008, the highestPET container collection volume recorded to date.

 

"This healthy rate increase is a real reminder of theongoing viability of recycling and the country's commitment to it," said BillO'Grady, APR Chairman and Vice President of Talco Plastics. "We at APRcertainly support increased recycling and end-use markets for recycled resins,and we see the increasing PET recycling rate as an encouraging trend."

The Report also details the end-uses for a record 915million pounds of recycled PET utilized in U.S. manufacturing applications,including fiber for carpet and apparel, strapping, sheet, film, food, beverage,and non-food bottles and containers.

 

"It is very satisfying to see this significant jump in thePET recycling rate," said Tom Busard, NAPCOR Chairman and Vice President,Global Procurement and Material Systems, Plastipak Packaging, Inc. "Using recycledPET in the manufacture of goods and packaging is energy and resource-efficientand a good example of sustainable practice. We are committed to working withour industry partners to meet the increased demand

from the manufacturing applications that use - or would liketo use - recycled PET."

 

This is the fourth year that NAPCOR, the APR, and PETRA have partnered toproduce this Report and the fourteenth year that NAPCOR has issued the Reportin its current format. "The PET Recycling Rate Report is an important tool forour industry and we're pleased to partner with NAPCOR and the APR on itsrelease," commented Mark Adlam, Chairman of PETRA and North America CommercialManager of M&G Polymers.

 

SOURCE: National Association for PET Container Resources(NAPCOR); Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR); PET ResinAssociation (PETRA)

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