If you recycle PET plastic, and it is likely that you do, you should be aware of the goals of the PET Recycling Coalition, an initiative just launched by The Recycling Partnership. The Coalition’s work will focus on addressing four key opportunities to increase recycling of PET plastic:
- Increasing the capture of PET bottles;
- Broadening the acceptance of PET trays, cups, and clamshells in community recycling collection programs;
- Unlocking new supplies of recycled PET (rPET) for packaging manufacturers; and
- Strengthening recycling systems for pigmented and opaque PET.
PET plastic is in high demand for use in textiles such as clothing and carpet (where it is known as polyester) and it is the most common type of plastic utilized in liquid bottles and food packaging today. While eliminating unnecessary usage is an important component of circularity, increased PET recycling is another critical step in advancing circularity. This along with company commitments and recycled content mandates in proposed U.S. legislation is leading to skyrocketing demand for recycled PET but supply is currently limited.
Most Americans with recycling access can recycle PET bottles; however, just 54 percent can recycle other types of PET packaging like plastic egg cartons and fruit containers. Furthermore, the recycling rate for PET bottles was only 26.6 percent in 2020. While most PET never makes it into the recycling bin due to insufficient access and participation, as much as 17 percent of bottles that are recovered are lost at Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) due to sortation challenges. By supporting solutions identified by the PET Recycling Coalition, there is a great opportunity to increase recovery and reduce plastic waste and help make progress toward packaging circularity goals.
Goal is Capture, Recycle More Content
The PET Recycling Coalition will make grants to recycling facilities for sorting equipment and related capital needs. These upgrades will improve PET bottle capture, deliver more rPET for use back into bottles and thermoforms, increase the acceptance of non-bottle rigid items in community recycling programs, and strengthen recycling opportunities for pigmented and opaque PET. Through grants, technical assistance, and knowledge sharing, the Coalition envisions a thriving PET recycling system that captures significantly more material, enabling more circular PET packaging with increased amounts of recycled content.
“The Recycling Partnership is dedicated to building a stronger U.S. recycling system, including material-focused efforts such as the PET Recycling Coalition. The success of these material-specific coalitions shows us that when we take a systems approach, we’re able to not only lift up that targeted material but all the other recyclables in the bin as well,” said Keefe Harrison, CEO of The Recycling Partnership. “We encourage all companies that use PET to join this coalition and be part of the solution.”
The PET Recycling Coalition is part of The Recycling Partnership’s Pathway to Circularity Initiative and aims to advance the circularity of all packaging. The Coalition is supported by and open to members representing all segments of the material’s value chain, including founding steering committee members Eastman, Indorama Ventures, Procter & Gamble, and the Walmart Foundation.
“We are excited to partner with leaders across the value chain to catalyze the change that will get all forms of PET, not just clear bottles, into our recycle stream,” said Scott Ballard, Eastman Plastics Division President. “Together, we can create a circular economy, leave fossil feeds in the ground, and do it with a lower carbon footprint.”
“Recycled PET is an extremely useful material when used and reused responsibly,” said Mark Agerton, Group Scientist from Procter & Gamble’s responsible packaging R&D team. “This PET Coalition is a partnership to help provide the essential funding and innovations needed to increase recycling rates and drive true circularity of non-desired plastics.”
Initial Funding Target of $25 Million
Additional founding members include The Coca-Cola Company, Danone, The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, and Niagara Bottling. The Coalition set an initial funding target of $25 million over five years and is seeking additional supporters.
The PET Recycling Coalition is aided by an advisory committee of industry leaders, including the American Beverage Assn., Association of Plastic Recyclers, Closed Loop Partners, Foodservice Packaging Institute, National Association for PET Container Resources, and RRS. In addition to serving on the advisory committee, RRS will serve as the Coalition’s technical partner and inform the Coalition’s strategy with supporting research.
Companies interested in improving PET recycling in the U.S. should consider becoming a Coalition member and an active participant in elevating solutions. To learn more about the PET Recycling Coalition, its members, and how to get involved in supporting its goals, visit recyclingpartnership.org/pet-recycling-coalition.
The lodging industry is served by numerous suppliers that use recycled PET plastic in its products.
