Exploring Comparative Energy and Environmental Benefits of Virgin, Recycled, and Bio-Derived PET Bottles

Bio-derived and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption compared to bottles produced from fossil fuel-derived feedstocks, according to a study from the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Bio-derived PET bottles can offer reductions of 12% to 82% in greenhouse gas emissions and 13% to 56% in fossil fuel consumption compared to conventional PET bottles that end up in landfill. However, water consumption is lower in the conventional route. The study also found that biomass-derived PET has a lower GHG impact than fossil fuel-derived PET because of the biogenic carbon credit given to the biomass-derived element. The primary contributor to GHG emissions in the production of fossil fuel-derived PET is the conversion stage due to the energy-intensive process.