PROFILES IN GARBAGE: Polyethylene Terephthalate 6784

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is a plastic resin used to make soft drink, “custom” bottles, and other household and consumer products. “Custom” bottles are used for non-soft drink products such as salad dressing, fruit juices, peanut butter and milk. Custom bottles are slightly more than half of the PET bottles produced.

PET also is used for film, oven trays, sheeting for cups and food trays, and other uses.

PET is a relatively new packaging resin. The PET bottle was patented in 1973. The first PET bottle was recycled in 1977. Because it is an “engineered” resin, PET is more expensive than commodity resins such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE). For the same reason, PET usually has the highest value of all plastic recyclables.

More than half of recycled PET bottles are collected from curbside programs, with the remainder collected by bottle deposit systems in 10 states. However, as the number of custom bottles increase and more PET bottles are used away from homes, the recycling rate has decreased.

Half of all polyester carpet made in the United States is made from recycled PET bottles.

This profile is limited to PET packaging.

The columnist is director of state programs for the Environmental Industry Associations, Washington, D.C. E-mail the author at: [email protected]

PET Municipal Solid Waste Facts:

Generated:

Recycled:

Recycled Content:

Composted:

Incinerated or Landfilled:

Landfill Volume:

Density:

Source Reduction:

The 2-liter soft drink bottle weighs 48 grams and is 20 grams or 29% lighter 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 bottles, strapping and exports.

End-Market Specifications:

PET bottles fall under ISRI Scrap Specifications Circular 2001: Plastic Standard P-100 series. Contamination is limited to 2% and PET cannot be stored outdoors for more than 6 months unless UV-protected.

PVC, which almost equals PET's specific gravity, is a major contaminant.

Sources:

Jonathan Burgiel, RW Beck Co., Orlando, Fla.

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

“Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1999 Facts and Figures,” EPA, Office of Solid Waste, Washington, D.C. www.epa.gov.osw

National Association of Plastic Container Recyclers, Charlotte, N.C. www.napcor.com

“Scrap Specifications Circular 2001,” Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Washington, D.C. www.isri.org

*1999 EPA estimates.