PET collection and recycling in Europe increase

According to a recently published PCI Wood Mackenzie report on postconsumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) collection and recycling in Europe, more than 1.8 million tonnes of PET bottles were collected and recycled in 2015, an increase of 5% compared with 2014. This means that nearly 59% of all bottles placed in the European market have been collected for recycling in 2015, outlining an increase of 2% points compared with the 2014 collection rate, the report notes.

The report, “PET Recycling in Europe 2015,” is a comprehensive account of the collection volumes in 2015 and projections to 2020 by country. This 25-page report provides full analysis of the reclamation capacity in the region, the supply demand balance for bottles and the end uses for processed flake. New to the report is a market overview for the region plus analysis of the pricing trends throughout the year.

“Petcore Europe is pleased to see this continuous growth in the European PET collection and recycling figures,” says Roberto Bertaggia, president of Brussels-based Petcore Europe. “In the context of the circular economy, it becomes more and more clear that PET recycling takes a crucial role and significantly contributes to achieving the set plastics recycling targets.”

The survey results not only reveal the success of PET collection and recycling in Europe but also the challenges and future work the PET industry is facing, PCI Wood Mackenzie says.  

“Continuously trying to improve the growth rates in collection demonstrates the need to increase consumer awareness of and involvement in recycling, as well as improvement in collection systems and action by many member states,” says Helen McGeough, senior consultant responsible for the area of recycling and sustainability at U.K.-based PCI Wood Mackenzie. “The value of these resources needs promoting across society, from consumer to government, to ensure it is treated in the right way throughout its life and beyond.”

The report outlines the need for an improved collection and sorting system throughout Europe.

“Clear bottles accounted for less than 15% of the stream, continuing the downward trend for clear bales in the total share of the available stream and highlighting the need for greater expenditure in sorting activities,” McGeough says. “The process loss rate is on an upward trend; this rising rate equates to a mounting cost to the industry and backs the calls by the industry for improved collection within the circular economy proposals.”

The report reveals strong growth in the average operating rate for 2015 compared with that of 2014. The trend in the trade of bales also went in favour of the domestic reclamation industry in 2015.

Looking forward, the report concludes that more than 2 million metric tonnes will be collected by 2020, with an expected average collection rate exceeding 60%.

 The complete report is available through PCI Wood Mackenzie by contacting McGeoug at helen@pcipetpackaging.com.  The results also will be discussed during the Petcore Europe Conference 2017 “PET 2020,” taking place in Brussels 1 February 2017.