PET Groups Say 2008 Recycling at 27%
The National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR), the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR), and the PET Resin Association (PETRA) reported that recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in 2008 was 27 percent, an increase of 9.8 percent over 2007.
This is the highest recycling rate in over 10 years. Over 1.45 billion pounds of PET bottles were collected in the United States in 2008, the highest PET container collection volume recorded to date.
"This healthy rate increase is a real reminder of the ongoing viability of recycling and the country's commitment to it," said Bill O'Grady, APR chair and vice president of Talco Plastics. "We at APR certainly support increased recycling and end-use markets for recycled resins, and we see the increasing PET recycling rate as an encouraging trend."
The "2008 Report on Postconsumer PET Container Recycling Activity" also details the end-uses for a record 915 million pounds of recycled PET utilized in U.S. manufacturing applications, including fiber for carpet and apparel, strapping, sheet, film, food, beverage, and non-food bottles and containers.