2010 PET container recycling rate at 29% : seventh consecutive year of increase in US PET recycling rate

14-Oct-11

The National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR), The Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR), and the PET Resin Association (PETRA) announced today the release of the "2010 Report on Post Consumer PET Container Recycling Activity" and a 2010 Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) container recycling rate of 29%. This is the seventh straight year that the United States' recycling rate has increased. Total PET collected for recycling was also highest to date, as was the use of recycled PET in end-use applications, at over 1.5 and 1 billion lbs, respectively. "NAPCOR is pleased to report these consistent increases in the PET recycling rate, year over year, and is committed to building on this trend," said Tom Busard, NAPCOR Chairman and Vice President, Global Procurement and Material Systems, Plastipak Packaging, Inc. "PET recycling and use of recycled PET in new products and packaging are integral components of what PET offers as a sustainable package; it's important to NAPCOR to foster and facilitate this essential component of the PET package premise." The 2010 Report also details the end uses for a record 1,002 mln lbs of recycled PET utilized in manufacturing applications, reflecting increases over 2009 in Sheet & Film, Food & Beverage Bottles, Strapping, and Fiber end-use categories.