Whenever you see a plastic bottle, there's a good chance it contains PET (polyethylene terephthalate). PET is a form of polyester that's safe to be in contact with food and beverages. It's also recyclable, which means you can feel good about purchasing plastic bottles.
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PET is a resin
Often referred to as polyethylene terephthalate, PET is a plastic resin that is commonly used to make plastic bottles. PET is a strong, light weight, and water resistant material. It is used to package many types of consumer products, including beverage, food, and personal care items.
It is a highly crystalline polymer that can be blown into a plastic bottle or molded into a sheet or film. The PET resin has a tensile strength and a stiffness that makes it very resistant to breaking. The PET resin is also commonly used in the construction of car seats and fire hoses.
The properties of PET can be enhanced with various additives, such as UV blockers, colorants, and oxygen barriers. During processing, it is important to maintain the IV, or the average length of the PET polymer chains. A higher IV indicates better performance characteristics.
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It's a form of polyester
Typically, a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottle is identified by the number "1" on the bottom of the bottle. This code is followed by a recycle symbol.
This form of polyester is used in the packaging of personal care products. It is also widely used in food and beverage containers. It is a light weight, strong and clear plastic that is extremely recyclable.
Polyethylene terephthalate is the most common thermoplastic polymer in the world. This type of polyester has been used in the production of clothes, food containers, and plastic bottles for decades. The material is also used in the manufacture of electronic components.
The primary source of the material is petroleum hydrocarbons. The polymer contains a large aromatic ring. It can be made into high strength textile fibres. It is resistant to microorganisms and is hygienic.
It's safe for contact with foods and beverages
Despite some hype, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is a safe, effective and reliable material that is approved for contact with food and beverages by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and similar regulatory bodies around the world.
It is also lightweight and shatterproof. These qualities make it a popular choice for food packaging. In fact, it is used to package everything from water and single serve juices to vitamins and mouthwash.
Another benefit of PET is its ability to be recycled. In fact, it is one of the most recyclable plastics in the U.S. Many communities have expanded their recycling programs to include plastics. Recycled Pet Resin can be made into fiberfill for winter jackets, new PET bottles and automotive parts. It can also be remolded into new containers, or used as building materials.
It's easy to recycle
Unlike other plastics, PET is very easy to recycle. In fact, it is one of the most recycled plastics in the world. Moreover, PET is a highly sustainable material. There are many different applications for recycled PET.
When you recycle, you save energy, reduce the amount of trash that is thrown away, and avoid pollution from chemicals. It also creates jobs for people who work in recycling facilities. There are several different recycling programs around the world.
In Canada, the average recycled content of pet resin bottle grade is 19%. There are five Canadian reclamation plants that sell recycled PET.
Besides using it for food containers, PET can be used for packaging, industrial strapping, felt for tennis balls, and carpet fibers. Recycled PET is accepted at most recycling facilities.
It's a valuable commodity with its closed loop potential
Despite its unenviable reputation as a waste bin, PET is a valuable commodity with its own closed loop potential. In fact, the latest report from the North American Plastics Converters Organization (NAPCOR) found that R-PET consumption will increase by 10% by the year's end.
Although PET is often thought of as a waste bin, the material is also a good choice for a wide variety of products, from juices to water bottles. In fact, the beverage bottle categories saw the biggest gains, with a 32% spike. The recycled content in such products is also growing in leaps and bounds, as the industry moves towards a more sustainable future.
Several of the leading innovators are supported by the big consumer goods companies. These include Reterra, which uses advanced recycling technologies to turn waste PET plastic into high value intermediary products; Loop Industries, which hopes to turn post-consumer PET into monomers and, perhaps, Loop branded recycled PET pellets.
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