Polyethylene Terephthalate 1402

POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE (PET) is a plastic resin used to make bottles for soft drinks and other household and consumer products. PET is a relatively new packaging resin. The PET bottle was patented in 1973. Four years later, the first PET bottle was recycled.

Because PET is an “engineered” resin, it is more expensive than commodity resins, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE). For the same reason, PET usually is one of the more highly valued plastic recyclables.

“Custom” bottles are used for non-soft drink products such as salad dressing, fruit juices, peanut butter and milk. Custom bottles accounted for 51 percent of all PET containers by weight in 2001. PET also is used for film, oven trays, sheeting for cups and food trays, oven trays and other uses.

Half of all polyester carpet made in the United States is made from recycled PET bottles. The rise in custom bottles and the increased consumption of bottled water away from home has led to a decline in PET's recycling rate.

PET use has reduced the size of the waste stream because it has replaced heavier steel and glass containers.

This profile is limited to PET packaging.

Chaz Miller is state programs director for the National Solid Wastes Management Association, Washington, D.C. E-mail the author at: [email protected]

PET Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Facts:

Generated:

Recycled:

Recycled Content:

Incinerated or Landfilled:

Landfill Volume:

Density:

Source Reduction:

The 2-liter soft drink bottle weighs 48 grams and is 20 grams or 29% lighters than 20 years ago.

Recycling Markets:

The fiber market, which uses recycled PET bottles for carpet, clothing and other products, is recycled PET's primary market. Other markets include exports, strapping and bottles.

End-Market Specifications:

PET bottles fall under “ISRI Scrap Specifications Circular 2004: Plastic Standard P-100 series.” Contamination is limited to 2%. PET cannot be stored outdoors for more than six months unless it is covered with UV-resistant materials.

Sources:

Jonathan Burgiel, RW Beck and Co.

“Measurement Standards and Reporting Guidelines,” National Recycling Coalition, Alexandria, Va., www.nrc-recycle.org

“Municipal Solid Waste In the United States: 2001 Facts and Figures,” U.S. EPA, Office of Solid Waste, www.epa.gov.osw National Association of Plastic Container Recyclers, www.napcor.com

“Scrap Specifications Circular 2004,” Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Washington, D.C., www.isri.org.

*2001 EPA estimates.