PET plastic is one of the most common types of plastic used due to its many beneficial properties. Typically used for the manufacture of plastic bottle packaging, it is found across many different industries with it being both a durable and lightweight material.
With sustainability now a priority for many businesses, it’s important to consider how packaging waste can impact the environment and the importance of recycling packaging products. By reading our blog below, you can learn about the recyclability of PET, why it is a great option for eco-conscious businesses and the many beneficial properties of the material for plastic packaging.
What Is PET?
PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, is a type of plastic that is widely used across a diverse range of industries. It is often used for the manufacture of water and soft drink bottles, with over 70% of soft drink packaging being made from PET, according to British Soft Drinks. At Origin, we create PET bottles for pharmaceutical packaging, pharmacy packaging and many other industries.
PET is often used because it is a lightweight, durable, and flexible plastic. As a result, it lends itself to being used within a variety of different industries. It is also unreactive with medications, so is often used for pharmaceutical and pharmacy packaging as a result.
Products manufactured using PET can be easily identified with the “1” plastic recycling code that has a triangle made with three arrows. This symbol is typically found on the bottom of bottles.
For more details on PET, you can read our blog on what PET is for further insight into the unique qualities of the material.
Is PET Recyclable?
Though not all plastics currently are, PET is recyclable. In fact, it is one of the most widely recycled plastics due to it being 100% recyclable. Recycled PET (or rPET) is used to create new bottles as well as many other products, such as clothing, carpets and car parts.
Though rPET can be used to create new bottles, this is often only in part. According to Zero Waste Europe, only 17% of recycled PET is used to form new bottles, in spite of the fact that their recycling rate is about 50%. This percentage will be likely to increase in the future, though may be dependent on policy change to be a widespread practice. PET products could be made from 100% recycled material, though the cost of cleaning and ensuring the plastic meets food safety regulations is currently challenging for this to be commonplace.
Is PET Sustainable?
PET is considered sustainable, as it is a 100% recyclable material. As a result, it is a leading choice for those looking for sustainable pharmaceutical packaging. In comparison to glass and aluminium, PET requires a much lower temperature of 260°C to be recycled into something else. It is also much more lightweight, which reduces emissions from its transport.
With plastic waste being produced at an alarming rate each year, it’s essential to find ways to minimise this for the future of the planet. Plastic waste makes up a significant portion of the waste found in landfills. So, offering the capability for end users to recycle their packaging in the form of PET is essential to lead us towards a more sustainable future.
How Does PET Recycling Work?
PET plastic, once collected by recycling companies, is then separated from other materials and plastics at a recycling plant. It is then compressed into small bales for ease of transportation and then sent to a processing centre to be turned into rPET. This is then ground down to form either flakes or granules and then decontaminated through washing and chemical treatments. After this point, they are then dried to be reused for a range of other products, and are reformed for new purposes through melting the flakes or granules down.
Recyclable PET Bottles at Origin
As PET plastic is highly recyclable, it makes for the ideal option for your business to increase your sustainability. Our PET plastic bottles are created using various levels of recycled content and can be easily recycled by end users.
Not only are our bottles recyclable, but they present many beneficial qualities for effectively protecting your products. Our PET bottles are both lightweight and durable, allowing for both reliable protection from impact and portability. These come in a range of sizes, designs and colours for you to choose your best-suited packaging solution.
Get in Touch
Now that you know that PET plastic is recyclable, sustainable and highly practical, you can take advantage of these qualities for your products and order PET plastic bottles from our extended collection of plastic packaging.
If you want to find out more about our PET plastic packaging, which options are best for prioritising sustainability for your business or anything else about our products, get in touch today. A member of our friendly team will be happy to discuss your enquiry with you.
