How Circular Is PET?

The report examines the circularity of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a widely used polymer in packaging and textiles. In an ideal circular economy, all PET would be recycled (rPET), eliminating the need for virgin PET (vPET). However, current recycling systems fall short of this goal, with significant material losses throughout the PET lifecycle.

Currently, PET circularity is hindered by ineffective collection systems, limited recycling infrastructure, contamination during sorting, and economic challenges related to rPET production. PET bottles have the most developed recycling infrastructure, yet only about 50% are recycled, and only 17% of new bottles contain rPET. Other PET applications, such as trays and textiles, have even lower recycling rates, leading to substantial material leakage from the circular system. The general PET stream, which includes textiles, shows that only bottles are effectively recycled, with most rPET cascading into lower-quality applications rather than being reused in bottles.

Future improvements in PET circularity depend on expanding deposit return schemes (DRS), improving collection and sorting technologies, and redesigning products to favor recyclability. A German DRS model has demonstrated that bottles can contain up to 55% rPET, and lab tests indicate that closed-loop recycling could achieve up to 75% rPET content without significant quality loss. However, achieving this level of circularity would require eliminating most colored and opaque bottles in favor of clear PET.

Chemical recycling, including depolymerization, offers another potential solution by breaking down PET into virgin-quality monomers. While this technology is still developing, it could complement mechanical recycling by processing lower-grade PET that would otherwise be lost. Industry estimates suggest chemical recycling could contribute significantly to PET circularity by 2025, though financial and environmental impacts remain uncertain.

To maximize PET circularity, manufacturers must prioritize bottle-to-bottle recycling, adopt policies that encourage higher collection rates, and transition away from difficult-to-recycle materials.