Recycling Partnership launches PET Recycling Coalition
The Recycling Partnership announced its launch of the PET Recycling Coalition, an effort aimed at improving the circularity of PET. Demand for PET is high due to its use in textiles and clothing, as well as for bottles and food packaging, while supplies of recycled PET are relatively low. The new coalition’s strategy is focused on four key opportunities to increase recycling of PET:
- Increasing the capture of PET bottles
- Broadening the acceptance of PET trays, cups and clamshells in community recycling collection programs
- Unlocking new supplies of recycled PET (rPET) for packaging manufacturers
- Strengthening recycling systems for pigmented and opaque PET
The coalition is supported by and open to members representing all segments of the material’s value chain, including founding steering committee members Eastman, Indorama Ventures, Procter & Gamble and the Walmart Foundation.
The coalition will make grants to recycling facilities for sorting equipment and other needs, with an initial funding target of $25 million over five years; the coalition is seeking additional supporters. MRFs and PET reclaimers can find the grant application and information on joining the PET Recycling Coalition at recyclingpartnership.org/pet-recycling-coalition/.