Sustainable packaging: PET container recycling rate up for sixth straight year

This is the sixth straight year that the United States’ recycling rate has increased; this year’s rate increase occurred despite a 4% decrease in the total PET bottles and jars available for recycling, by weight, says the group of associations.

“This steady climb in the PET recycling rate illustrates a continued commitment to recycling, and it’s something the APR will certainly continue to foster,” said Scott Saunders, APR Chairman and General Manager of KW Plastics Recycling. “Recycling PET bottles and re-processing them for next-life use captures and re-purposes the valuable energy resources inherent in the material. For APR membership, this exemplifies responsible, energy-efficient raw materials resource management.”

The 2009 Report also details the end uses for a record 937 million pounds of recycled PET utilized in manufacturing applications, reflecting strong increases over 2008 in Sheet & Film, Food & Beverage Bottles, and Non-food Bottles end-use categories.

“It’s gratifying for NAPCOR to be able to report continued increases in the PET recycling rate, and we remain committed to working with our industry partners to meet the increased demand for recycled PET,” said Tom Busard, NAPCOR Chairman and Vice President, Global Procurement and Material Systems, Plastipak Packaging, Inc. “Capturing the value of recycled PET material and using that material in the manufacture of new packaging and other goods is a key element of sustainable practice.”

This is the fifth year that NAPCOR, the APR, and PETRA have partnered to produce this Report and the fifteenth year that NAPCOR has issued the Report in its current format.