PET packaging is generally considered highly recyclable, but the U.S. recycling system needs improvement to fully unlock circularity. According to the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR)’s 2020 PET Recycling Report, the most recognized type of PET packaging – PET plastic bottles – are currently recycled at a rate of about 27%, which is below the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s 30% threshold for recyclability. Other types of PET packaging like plastic egg cartons, fruit containers, clamshells, trays, and tubs are recycled at a significantly lower rate – 9%. We can – and should – do better. 

Going further, the bottles that do end up in recycling bins may sometimes be lost at Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) due to sortation challenges. In addition to these challenges, recycling processes for pigmented and opaque PET packaging have not been stable and need to be strengthened.  

The Recycling Partnership is leading an initiative informed by industry knowledge and expertise to improve PET circularity and transform the recycling system by: 

•  Increasing PET capture rates by upgrading the efficiency of the recycling system 
•  Optimizing the flow of recycled PET by technology and infrastructure updates at sortation facilities and PET reclaimers  
• Bolstering PET recycling through expanded access and effective messaging in local recycling programs 

The PET Recycling Coalition looks to drive these advancements through enhanced infrastructure and action around PET recycling. The Coalition will make grants that aim to improve recycling facility sorting technology and practices to better position the recycling system for PET.  

The Coalition seeks funding partners interested in embarking on a research-focused and data-driven journey to unlock the environmental and economic benefits of PET recycling. Together, we can be part of the solution.

Increase Capture by 250M lbs/year by 2027

• Boost the PET bottle recycling rate over 30%
• Significantly reduce yield loss at reclaimers and unlock new supply of rPET

Achieve >60% access for PET thermoforms by 2025

• Advance thermoform-to-thermoform recycling and other opportunities for separated recycling
• Double the PET thermoform recycling rate by 2027 (from 2022 baseline)

Create resilient recycling in proactive and at scale for pigmented/opaque PET by 2025

• Strengthen robust end markets with pronounced environmental and economic benefits
• Earn an improved designation from industry-accepted recyclability assessment programs

PETRC grantees to date:

• Balcones Resources, San Antonio, Texas (materials recovery facility)
  • Grant supports increasing amount of residential PET they can capture and sort PET thermoforms into a separate stream
• DAK Americas, Richmond, Indiana (reclaimer)
  • Grant supports increased capture efficiency and producing more rPET
• Direct Pack Recycling, Mexicali, Mexico (reclaimer)
  • Grant supports added capacity to recycle more PET thermoforms, including pigmented/opaque thermoforms
• Direct Pack Recycling, Rockingham, North Carolina (reclaimer)
  • Grant supports added capacity to recycle more PET thermoforms, including pigmented/opaque thermoforms
• Merlin Plastics, Delta, British Columbia (reclaimer)
  • Grant supports new processing line dedicated to recycling PET thermoforms
• Placon, Madison, Wisconsin (reclaimer)
  • Grant supports growth of capabilities to recycle more PET from residential recycling system, including PET thermoforms
• Recycle Source, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania  (materials recovery facility)
  • Grant supports increased capture efficiency and access to recycling for PET thermoforms throughout Pittsburgh
• Republic Services, Conover, North Carolina (materials recovery facility)
  • Grant supports increased capture efficiency and recover more PET from the residential recycling stream