NAPCOR Reports PET Container Recycling Levels for ‘06

The National Association for PET Container Resources and the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers have jointly announced that 1.272 billion pounds of Polyethylene Terephthalate bottles were collected in the United States last year, the highest PET container collection volume recorded to date and a 9 percent increase over 2005. (To view the full report click on the following link -- 2006 PET Recycling Report)

This collection volume contributed to a recycling rate of 23.5 percent, marking the third year of recycling rate increase. The volume of PET containers available for recycling in the U.S. also grew in 2006 to 5.424 billion pounds, a 7 percent increase over 2005.

"We’re pleased to partner with NAPCOR on this important report," said Bill O’Grady, APR chairman and president of Talco Plastics. "APR is committed to increasing the recycling of PET and to supporting the use of products manufactured with recycled PET."

The report also details the end-uses for the 855 million pounds of recycled PET used in U.S. manufacturing applications

"It is encouraging to see another increase in the volume of containers collected in 2006 and in the PET recycling rate," said Gerri Walsh, NAPCOR chairwoman and director, Packaging Industry Affairs, Ball Corp. "We are committed to working with our industry partners to promote and encourage the recycling of PET containers to meet the increased demand from the manufacturing applications that use recycled PET. The use of recycled feedstock supports a more sustainable, energy-efficient manufacturing chain with reduced greenhouse gas emissions."