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What is PET?

PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate, a plastic resin and a form of polyester. Polyethylene terephthalate is a polymer that is formed by combining two monomers: modified ethylene glycol and purified terephthalic acid.

PET is the type of plastic labeled with the #1 code on or near the bottom of bottles and containers and is commonly used to package soft drinks, water, juice, peanut butter, salad dressings and oil, cosmetics and household cleaners.

PET is a popular package for food and non-food products. Manufacturers use PET plastic to package products because of its strength, thermo-stability and transparency. Customers choose PET because it is inexpensive, lightweight, resealable, shatter-resistant and recyclable.

Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (RPET) can be used to make many new products, including fiber for polyester carpet; fabric for T-shirts, long underwear, athletic shoes, luggage, upholstery andsweaters; fiberfill for sleeping bags and winter coats; industrial strapping, sheet and film; automotive parts, such as luggage racks, headliners, fuse boxes, bumpers, grilles and door panels; and new PET containers for both food and non-food products.

News & Events
March 15, 2010
APR and NAPCOR Express Concerns on Mis-Use of Resin Identification Code
October 22, 2009
2008 Recycling Rate Report: NAPCOR and APR Report Highest PET Recycling Rate Since 1997
September 9, 2009
NAPCOR Welcomes Husky Injection Molding Systems and Sidel Inc. to Membership
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A guide to setting up PET recycling programs outside of the conventional curbside and drop-off programs.
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