Recycling rates for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles in the US hit their “highest levels” in 2023, as reported in the National Association for PET Container Resources’ (NAPCOR) 2023 PET Recycling Report.
In 2023, the US PET bottle collection rate hit 33%, a 4% rise from 29% in 2022, marking the highest rate since 1996.
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Last year, the average percentage of post-consumer recycled PET, or recycled PET (rPET), used in US bottles and jars was 16.2%. This represents a 3% increase from 13.2% in 2022.
This is the highest level recorded to date, reflecting a growing demand for rPET across the country.
PET plastic, identified by its resin code, is valued for its clarity, durability, and versatility. It is widely accepted in recycling programmes across the US and has higher recycling rates than most other plastics.
Research shows that a 16.9oz PET plastic water bottle uses 80% less energy, creates 80% less waste, uses 53% less water, has 74% lower global warming potential, and generates 68%-83% fewer emissions than a 12oz aluminium can or glass bottle.
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By GlobalDataIn 2023, the collection rate hit its highest level in nearly 30 years, driven by an increase in PET plastic bottles collected and a decrease in the number of bottles available for recycling compared to 2022.
Last year, the US collected 1,962 million pounds (mlb) of PET bottles for recycling, marking the highest annual collection weight ever recorded. This represents a 2.7% increase from the 1,911mlb collected in 2022.
In the previous year, the total amount of PET bottles available for recycling in the US was 5,952mlb, a 9.8% decrease from 6,599mlb in 2022.
The report indicates that domestic sales of both virgin and rPET resin for nonfood and beverage bottle applications such as personal care packaging and household cleaners, saw significant declines compared to 2022.
rPET content in US bottles reached a record 16.2%, with usage rising 11% from 870mlb in 2022 to 966mlb in 2023.
In 2023, 59% of recycled PET used in the US and Canadian end markets went to bottle applications, exceeding the previous record of 54% set in 2022.
Last year, North America reached a significant recycling milestone with a new high of 41.3%, once again surpassing the global benchmark set by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
NAPCOR executive director Laura Stewart said: “PET plastic bottles play a vital role in a circular economy because they can be designed to be remade and our members are working hard to ensure they get recycled.
“NAPCOR’s 2023 PET Recycling Report shows that while there were fewer PET bottles available to recycle in the US, there were still more PET bottles recycled in 2023, resulting in a higher recovery percentage.
“When manufacturers, consumers, retailers, and recyclers work together to ensure PET is selected, collected, and recycled, our planet reaps the rewards.”
