
US bottle-to-bottle recycling on the rise
Recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles in the United States reached a significant milestone, with the highest recycling rates seen since 1996, according to the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR). PET plastic, easily identified by the #1 resin code, is commonly used in beverage bottles, household products, and more, making it a crucial material for the circular economy.
The US PET bottle collection rate increased by 4% compared to the previous year, reaching 33%. This marks the highest recycling rate for PET bottles in nearly three decades. The amount of recycled PET (rPET) used in US bottles also saw a notable rise, reaching 16.2%, up 3% from 2022. This demonstrates growing demand for recycled PET in bottle production, a trend supported by voluntary brand commitments and recent legislation mandating recycled content.
In total, 1,962 million pounds of PET bottles were collected for recycling in 2023, the highest ever recorded. This represents a 2.7% increase from 2022. However, the overall amount of PET bottles available for recycling decreased by nearly 10%, down from 6,599 million pounds in 2022 to 5,952 million pounds in 2023. Despite the drop in available bottles, the increased recycling rate indicates improved efficiency in the recycling process.
While the sales of recycled PET for non-food and beverage applications, such as textiles and personal care packaging, saw a decline compared to 2022, the overall trend for PET recycling remains positive. The rise in rPET content in bottles reflects the ongoing efforts to improve sustainability in the packaging industry, reducing energy consumption and emissions compared to virgin plastic production.
NAPCOR’s Executive Director, Laura Stewart, highlighted that PET plastic bottles are a key part of a circular economy, as they can be recycled into new bottles or other products. She stressed that collaboration between manufacturers, consumers, retailers, and recyclers is essential for maintaining and improving the recycling system.
This progress is a critical step toward achieving a more sustainable future, with recycled PET contributing to a reduction in waste, energy consumption, and carbon emissions associated with plastic production. The continued rise in PET bottle recycling and rPET content is encouraging, underscoring the growing role of recycling in sustainable manufacturing.