PET and Sustainability:

This page is new to the NAPCOR web site. Please check back again soon as we'll be adding relevant content and links.  

Recycling Infrastructure: PET bottles are collected in over 20,000 recycling programs nationwide. In 2007, over 5.68 billion pounds of PET bottles and jars were collected and reprocessed for re-manufacture into new packages and products.

End Uses for Recycled PET:  Recycled PET can be used in the manufacture of new PET packaging, as well as in many other applications, including t-shirts and tote bags; fleece apparel; carpets; strapping; car accessories; and fiberfill (for items such as pillows or sleeping bags). Click for some PET end-use examples. 

Lightweight Package: PET is a lightweight package so products packaged in PET can be packed and shipped efficiently. To maximize these efficiencies and use less plastic resin per package, PET packaging manufacturers continue to make their packages lighter when it’s possible to do so and maintain product integrity.  

Life Cycle Analysis (LCA): NAPCOR is completing LCA work for recycled PET. Check back on this page soon for updates and links to more information. 

Here are some of the ways our NAPCOR Members are incorporating sustainability into their business practices, manufacturing systems, and product offerings.

Ball Corporation: http://www.ballcorporate.com/page.jsp?page=178

Global PET Inc: http://www.globalpetinc.com/

Krones, Inc:  http://www.krones-enviro.com/index_en.html

Nestle Waters North America: http://www.nestle-waters.com/environment/bottle_and_packaging.html

Pactiv Corporation: http://www.napcor.com/jsfcustomcode/showmember.php?srvy_person_id=77

Par-Pak Ltd:  http://www.parpak.com/sustainability.htm

Peninsula Packaging Company:  http://www.penpack.net/home/recycle.htm

Solo Cup Company: http://www.solocup.com/environment/index.html 

PET and Degradable Additives: 

Click for NAPCOR's press release on degradable additives, and for the Environmental Protection Agency's perspective on this issue, http://www.epa.gov/osw/wycd/catbook/debate.htm

Click the image below to link to a pdf of The Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR) degradable plastics fact sheet. Also see the newly released APR protocols for degradable additive testing (pertaining to PET recycling).