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QUESTIONS

ANSWERS

Should caps be removed from or left on bottles? Are caps and neck rings contaminants?

Bottle caps and neck rings are typically made of polypropylene plastic which has a different specific gravity than PET.  This difference allows caps and neck rings to be mechanically removed in a float/sink process and recycled.  Although most caps and neck rings are not a contaminant to the PET recycling process, in some cases, removing them will help with compaction.

What kind of baler should I use to
bale PET?

The choice of specific baling equipment at your facility should be a function of your recycling program design and budget, specific market specifications, and facility throughput requirements.
 

Is a downstroke baler OK?

Yes.  However horizontal balers are considered superior, as they have a motor ad piston/cylinder configuration that can achieve greater compression ratings than most downstroke (also known as vertical) balers.

What kinds of pressures or forces should
I specify to be able to bale PET?

Please refer to NAPCOR's Best Practices in PET Recycling.

To get the most for my plastic bottles,
how should I sort and bale them?

Please refer to NAPCOR's Best Practices in PET Recycling.
 

Would I make more money on my PET
if I grind it instead of bale it?

Not necessarily.  Grinding requires significant investment in capital equipment and is subject to strict and difficult-to-meet quality control requirements.

Are amber PET beer bottles recyclable?

Yes.  Currently markets exist for separated amber bales and mixed colored PET bales.  Contact NAPCOR for information about amber reclaimers at information@napcor.com or contact the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR) for a market list.

Do barrier layers in PET bottles interfere with the recycling process?

At this time we are not seeing any negative effects from the current technologies.  Companies introducing barrier technologies are encouraged to participate in the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers' (APR) "Champions for Change" design for recyclability process.

Are PET cups recyclable?

Yes, they are recyclable.  Check with your local market to see if it accepts PET cups.
 

Why can't PET microwave trays be
recycled with PET bottles?

They are physically and chemically different from PET bottles.  Currently there is no end use market for this type of plastic.
 

Are light blue water bottles recyclable?

Yes.  Most markets currently accept light blue bottles.  They are typically mixed in with other transparent PET bottles in predominantly clear and green bales.  A list of PET reclaimers can be accessed on this web site.

Where can my company obtain recycled-content PET bottles for its products?

A list of NAPCOR's bottle manufacturer members can be viewed on this web site.
 

Are there markets for mixed bales of
PET and HDPE Bottles?

Yes.  Contact the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR) for a market list.
 

Are there markets for mixed bales of
all bottles?

Yes.  Contact the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR) for a market list.
 

Are there markets for mixed loads of some PET bales and some HDPE bales?

Yes, they are called split loads.  Contact the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR) for a market list.
 

Are there times when I might not be paid for the PET I have collected?

Post-consumer markets are dependent on quantity, quality, market conditions and distance to market.  PET is a commodity and is therefore subject to periodic fluctuations in the marketplace. 
 

Should my state recruit its own
PET market?

The marketplace determines the location of reclamation plants based on current conditions including supply and demand for various geographical areas.  It is not NAPCOR’s position to either assist in recruiting reclamation facilities or determine where such facilities should be placed.  It is important to note that North American PET reclaimers purchase truckload quantities from all areas of the United States. 

Why does my local market only want
PET soda bottles?

They may not be up-to-date on market conditions.  All PET bottles and jars are recyclable.  You may wish to forward this information to your market representatives or refer them here for more information.

Why is the recycling code so hard to see?

Certain molds make it difficult to create a legible code.  In addition, the size and clarity of the recycling codes are not consistent in plastic coding laws enacted in various states.
 

How are recycled PET bottles made into
a carpet or other products?  Is there a visual depiction of the process?

NAPCOR has produced an educational video that includes an overview of the PET container creation and recycling processes.  If you would like a copy this free video, please visit the NAPCOR Store to place your order.
 

Is it true that PET bottles make up
one-fourth of all the municipal
solid waste volume?

No.  PET bottles make up less than 2% of the volume of municipal solid waste.
 

Why should I serve beverages packaged
in PET at my event/school/sports arena?

PET plastic bottles are recyclable and will decrease the volume of waste generated at your venue, as well as potentially generate revenue from the collected containers.

Why do I see so many different types of beverages packaged in PET plastic in the marketplace?

Consumers like PET packaging because it is lightweight, shatter-resistant and resealable - just right for people
on-the-go.