PET collections in the US on the increase

Archiv – Over the year 2007, 633 million tonnes of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles were collected in the United States, the highest PET container collection volume recorded to date and a 10% increase over 2006.United States | Over the year 2007, 633 million tonnes of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles were collected in the United States, the highest PET container collection volume recorded to date and a 10% increase over 2006.
According to the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) and the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR), this collection volume contributed to a recycling rate of 24.6%, marking the fourth year of recycling rate increase. The volume of PET containers available for recycling in the US also grew in 2007 to 2577 million tonnes, a 5% increase over 2006. This growth was driven primarily by strong sales of still water, teas, energy drinks, and isotonic beverages.
The report also details the end-uses for a record 408 million kilos of recycled PET utilized in US manufacturing applications, including fibre for carpet and apparel, strapping, sheet, film, food and non-food containers.
’It is encouraging to see another increase in the volume of containers collected in 2007 and in the PET recycling rate,’ says Tom Busard, NAPCOR Chairman and Vice President, Global Procurement and Material Systems, Plastipak Packaging, Inc. ‘€˜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.’€™