TOXICITY AND RECYCLING OF PET BOTTLES

Polyethylene Terephthalate or PET products are 100% recyclable and is the most recycled plastic worldwide. PET can be easily identified by its recycling code #1. 

Low diffusion coefficient makes PET much more suitable than other plastic materials for use as a recovered, recycled material. Post-consumer PET bottles are collected and processed through a series of special washing processes or by a chemical treatment to break down the PET into its raw materials or intermediates which are further used to produce recycled PET (rPET) flakes. 

Then these recycled PET or rPET flakes are used in several applications some of which include:

• Fiber for carpet, fleece jackets, comforter fill, and tote bags 
• Containers for food, beverages(bottles), and non-food items 
• Film and sheet 
• Strapping

Further heat treatment of recycled PET flakes removes any volatiles making them safe and meet the requirements to be safe for direct food contact.