RPET (polyethylene terephthalate), is a recycled PET plastic that is used in the manufacturing of plastic bottles and food containers. After the consumer has used the original PET containers, they can be returned to a facility that sorts and cleans them into pellets. RPET pellets / surfaces can be recycled to make new products, such as fiberglass for clothing or carpets, or plastics for food and drink containers. Because RPET is less carbon-intensive than original PET, it can be used to convert consumer PET into a valuable resource. PET plastic is used to produce clear, strong, and lightweight containers and packaging for food or beverages.
PET plastic is 100% recyclable. It is also the most widely recycled plastic in the United States. PET Resin Association (PETRA) estimates that more than PS 1.5 million in PET containers and bottles (such as cosmetic containers and beverage bottles) are used annually to be processed in the United States. recycle. PET can be identified by its triangular recycling logo # 1, "chase those arrows", usually found on the bottom of the container.
Are bottled water companies using RPET technology? Yes. Yes. Bottled water companies have included RPET in their containers over the years. Many bottled water companies now use RPET packaging to offer their products in containers that are made of 50, 75 or 100 percent RPET. Beverage Marketing Corporation reported that the average cost per container of RPET for bottled water companies using RPET between 2008 and 2017 was 3.3 to 18.2% - an increase by 452 percent
What happens to my PET bottle after it is thrown in the trash can? PET bottles can be placed in the recycling bin. They are then taken to a material rehabilitation facility (MRF) where they are separated from all other items and packaged. PET recycling equipment. These recycling facilities break down the PET packages and sort them using an automated processor to remove all non-PET material. PET is ground into a powder and then placed in a separator, often in a float or sink tank. The heavier PET container material will sink and be separated from the lighter label and cap material.
PET material is dried and cleaned. The PET material is then cleaned and dried. These PET pellets can be made into more refined PET pellets or used to make PET foil for lids, cups and trays. Recycled PET can also be used to make glass fibers for carpets and clothing.
Click the video below to view the recycling process as it is described by the National Association for PET Container Resources.
Is it possible to recycle a PET/RPET bottle over and over or is it likely to become damaged? PET bottles can be reused over and again. While it is true that polymer chains can degrade during recycling, the intrinsic viscosity of PET (i.e. point, crystallinity and tensile strength) can still be recycled. Supplements can be taken to improve PETs IV.
Recyclers use chain extenders to increase the IV in PET in order to meet growing demand from beverage manufacturers for high levels of recycled content. These are molecules that connect the ends of broken polymer chains and reconnect them to form longer chains for PET bottles.
What are the advantages of recycled PET and original PET? PET products and RPET are both fully recyclable.
- PET and RPET are lighter than other packaging. This helps to reduce shipping costs which in turn can help reduce CO2 emissions.
- PET and RPET bottles are transparent and indestructible.
- PET and RPET plastics are safe to use for food and beverage packaging.
What other industries use RPET technology? Glass fibers, foils and foils as well as banding, food and beverages are the main industries that use RPET. Fiberglass products were the main use of 47 percent (eg. 2017) of all US RPETs. "Food and beverage was the second-largest user of RPETs, at 21 percent.
