Ceepackaging

Environment

PET recycling up on 2005

The increase in PET collection continues, by far, to exceed growth in consumption with 38.6% of
all PET bottles being collected for recycle. Collection continued to grow steadily in most
European countries with the highest increase in rates where national legislation is changing to
allow single trip bottles to replace refillable containers. The recorded collection has increased
markedly in the UK and Ireland, because the PET component of mixed plastic bales has been
counted for the first time.
“I am delighted with the continued increase in PET collection throughout Europe and our high rate
of recycle. 21 of the countries surveyed now have a higher PET recovery rate than the 22.5%
target rate for plastic recovery by 2008, as set by the Packaging Waste Directive.” said Roberto
Bertaggia, Chairman of the Petcore Board.
With a maximum input capacity of in excess of 1million tonnes of PET bottles spread over more
than 80 companies, Europe has the capability to recycle all the PET bottles collected.
Export to the Far East was down to 14% of collected PET in 2006.
The largest share of the collected PET containers was recycled into polyester fibres. The market
for polyester sheet rapidly gained share in a range of thermoformed applications where the use of
recycled PET increased by 60% over 2005 consumption. Re-use back into PET bottles has also
steadily increased and the rate of use in strapping tape has picked up again after a dip in 2005.