Dec. 5

The recycling rate for soda bottles and similar containers increased for the fourth year straight, according to the National Association for PET Container Resources and Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers.

The rate for polyethylene terephthalate containers improved to 24.6% in 2007, up from 23.5% in 2006, according to the report. The volume of PET containers collected increased in 2007 to 1.396 billion pounds, compared with 1.272 million pounds the prior year.

The full "2007 Report on Post-Consumer PET" can be found on the NAPCOR and APR Web sites, www.napcor.com and www.plasticsrecycling.org.

U.S. end-users consumed a record 900 million pounds of recovered PET for several applications, including carpet and apparel, strapping, sheet plastic, film and food containers.

"The use of recycled feedstock supports a more sustainable, energy-efficient manufacturing chain with reduced greenhouse gas emissions," said Tom Busard, NAPCOR chairman and vice president of global material systems for Plastipak Packaging Inc.

Contact Waste News reporter Joe Truini at (330) 865-6166 or jtruini@crain.com

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