U.S. Collection of Postconsumer PET Hits All-Time High
PET bottle collection rates rebounded in 2021 after declining in the preceding years.
The newly released 2021 PET Recycling Report from the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) documents increases in the collection of postconsumer PET for 2021. A record 1.9 billion lb of postconsumer PET was collected in the U.S. alone. The U.S. rate increased from 27.1 to 28.6% while the overall combined rate for U.S., Canada, and Mexico increased from 34.2 to 36.8%.
“The 2021 increase is a powerful indicator that pandemic-driven disruptions to recycling services are getting back on track,” said Laura Stewart, executive director at NAPCOR.
PET collection rates returned to pre-pandemic levels, bringing volume to an all-time high.
Photo Credit: NAPCOR
PET collected via deposit redemption also rebounded, up 46% compared to 2020.
The US RPET textile fiber industry faced higher prices and more competition for clear RPET in 2021, but still achieved a total RPET fiber production of over 1 billion pounds. This was achieved by sourcing greater volumes of colored RPET flake (57%) and greater volumes of post-industrial RPET flake (11%) compared to 2019.
Trends in recycled PET use in fiber and bottle segments.
Photo Credit: NAPCOR
NAPCOR also reported a sign of circularity in thermoformed trays: 11 million lb were recycled by converters into new thermoformed products. Collection of thermoformed PET products set a record at 142 millon lb.
NAPCOR is an industry association for the PET packaging industry in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Related Content
-
US Merchants Makes its Mark in Injection Molding
In less than a decade in injection molding, US Merchants has acquired hundreds of machines spread across facilities in California, Texas, Virginia and Arizona, with even more growth coming.
-
Automotive Awards Highlight ‘Firsts,’ Emerging Technologies
Annual SPE event recognizes sustainability as a major theme.
-
Pregis Performance Flexibles: In the ‘Wow’ Business
Pregis went big and bold with investment in a brand-new, state-of-the-art plant and spent big on expanding an existing facility. High-tech lines, well-known leadership and a commitment to sustainability are bringing the “wow” factor to blown film.
