Recycled PET usage in domestic markets hits all time high
The National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) (napcor.com) and The Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR) (plasticsrecycling.org) announced today the release of the “Report on Postconsumer PET Container Recycling Activity in 2014.” The report cites a 2014 United States recycling rate of 31% for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles. The 2014 rate is consistent with that of 2013, reflecting year-over-year increases in both U.S. PET bottle collection volumes and in total volume of PET resin used in U.S. PET bottle production.
Gross exports of PET fell again in 2014, continuing a five-year trend, while total pounds of recycled PET utilized in domestic end-use markets increased to the highest level seen to date.