PET Collection Continues to Climb

Recent figures from the National Association for PET Container Resources and the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers show that PET recycling rates reached 23.1 percent last year. The total collected amount was 1.170 billion pounds of PET containers collected in 2005.

The figures for the year were an improvement from the previous year’s collection rate of 21.6 percent. The report also noted that the volume of PET containers available for domestic recycling purposes increased by 9.4 percent to 5.075 million pounds.

The report, 2005 Report On Post Consumer Pet Container Recycling Activity, was released Nov. 30^th.

"We are very pleased to report another increase in the PET recycling rate and in the volume of containers collected in 2005," said Gerri Walsh, NAPCOR’s chair. "Using recycled PET supports a more energy-efficient and sustainable manufacturing chain and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. While we are pleased to report a higher recycling rate, there is increased demand for recycled PET and we will continue our efforts to promote and encourage more recycling of PET containers to support the growing number of manufacturing applications that use recycled PET feedstock."

Over 860 million pounds of recycled PET was used in 2005 in U.S. manufacturing applications including fiber for carpet and apparel, strapping, sheet, film, food and non-food containers.

To read the full report click on the following link 2005 Report on Post Consumer PET Container Recycling Activity.