NEWS: Recycling Partnership Launches PET Recycling Coalition

Chris Irby • June 29, 2022

Coalition of Companies Is Working to Bolster PET Recycling Efforts

Since 2014, the Recycling Partnership (which is based in Falls Church, Virginia) has been focused on increasing the recycling of materials like polyethylene terephthalate (PET). To that end they have assembled the PET Recycling Coalition, a committee of like-minded companies who are using their industry knowledge and expertise to improve PET circularity.

PET is in high demand for use in textiles (i.e. polyester). It is also the most common type of plastic used for food packaging and liquid bottles. Unfortunately, despite high demand (due in part to company commitments and recycled-content mandates in proposed U.S. legislation), the demand for PET continues to skyrocket despite the limited supply.

In order to address this issue, the Coalition will be focusing on these four key goals:

1. Increasing the capture of PET bottles.

The recycling rate for PET bottles was just 26.6% in 2021 and an estimated 17% of these bottles are lost due to sortation challenges.

2. Broadening the types of PET packaging that can be recycled.

Most recycling facilities can recycle PET bottles, but only 54% of them can recycle other types of PET packaging like trays, cups, and clamshells.

3. Unlocking new supplies of recycled PET (rPET) for packaging manufacturers.

According to Mark Agerton, group scientist from Proctor & Gamble's responsible packaging R&D team, "Recycled PET is an extremely useful material when used and reused responsibly. 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."

4. Strengthening recycling systems for pigmented and opaque PET.

"Our country needs substantial innovation and investment in its recycling ecosystem," says Scott Ballard, president of Eastman's plastics division. "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. Together, we can create a circular economy, leave fossil feeds in the ground, and do it with a lower carbon footprint."

In addition to Proctor & Gamble and Eastman, members of the PET Recycling Coalition include Walmart, Kroger, Coca-Cola, and Niagara Bottling. They are aided by an advisory committee of industry leaders, including the National Association for PET Container Resources, the Association of Plastic Recycler, and the American Beverage Association.

Recycling Partnership CEO Keefe Harrison is optimistic that these PET-focused initiatives will have a positive impact on recycling overall. "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. We encourage all companies that use PET to join the coalition and be part of the solution."