Recycling PET plastic

Your guide to plastic recycling

Confused about recycling plastic? Don’t worry, we’re here to help. Some plastic can be recycled easily, while others can’t. There are 7 types of plastic identified by 7 numbers. PET plastic is the most recycled plastic in the world and can be identified by the number 1 symbol.
Here’s a basic guide on to how to recycle your plastic.

PET can play a key role in realising the circular economy

PET is a uniquely recyclable material.

PET is one of the most collected materials for recycling.

Packaging can play a key role in maintaining access to the products we love.

Which plastics are recyclable?

PET – POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE

VIRGIN USE
RECYCLED USE
EASE OF RECYCLING

Beverage bottles, food packaging, PPE, soap/handgel dispensers

Recycled into more PET products, over and over

Widely recycled

HDPE – HDPE HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE

VIRGIN USE
RECYCLED USE
EASE OF RECYCLING

Milk/juice bottles, cleaning product containers, soap/handgel dispensers

Recycled into more cartons, piping, garden furniture

Widely recycled

PVC – POLYVINYL CHLORIDE

VIRGIN USE
RECYCLED USE
EASE OF RECYCLING

Car parts, thermal insulation, piping and window fittings

Recycled into more PVC products

Check locally

LDPE – LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE

VIRGIN USE
RECYCLED USE
EASE OF RECYCLING

Shopping bags, wrapping

Flooring, furniture, more plastic bags

Check locally

PP – POLYPROPYLENE

VIRGIN USE
RECYCLED USE
EASE OF RECYCLING

Carpet fibres, automotive upholstery, microwaveable meal packaging

Fibre for clothing, packaging

Widely recycled

PS – POLYSTYRENE

VIRGIN USE
RECYCLED USE
EASE OF RECYCLING

Packaging, takeaway food boxes, single use cutlery, insulation

Packaging

Check locally

OTHERS

VIRGIN USE
RECYCLED USE
EASE OF RECYCLING

Plastic bags for snacks, salad and fruit

Not recycled. Some goes to landfill, some to compost, some to energy recovery

Not recycled/
Check locally

How to recycle plastic

Waste management and recycling can be complicated. So, what are the rules for recycling where you live? Follow the links below to discover how to recycle PET in your local area. Access all the info you need on the recycling process and help yourself become a champion recycler.

How does PET recycling work?

PET is special. It is near infinitely recyclable and can play a key role in realising the circular economy. But how does the recycling process work? Well, the PET value chain has been investing in improving the process of collecting, washing and recycling of PET.

Read more to discover the benefits of recycling PET and how we can all work together to realise a more sustainable future for packaging.

PET: made to be remade

What happens to recycled plastic? PET is a uniquely recyclable material. The only plastic which can be 100% recycled in closed loop, bottle-to-bottle recycling. This isn’t all PET can be remade into, though. Discover how this versatile resource is the complete opposite of a disposable ‘single-use’ plastic.

Working towards 90% collection

PET is one of the most collected materials for recycling, far above other plastics. But we could do better. We should be aiming to get every PET bottle and container collected for recycling. Proven approaches like deposit return schemes can significantly improve collection rates and hitting the EU’s 90% target will take a combined effort. Discover what we’re doing to improve collection and enable the easy recycling of PET and how you can get involved.

EU Green Deal

The European Green Deal is the EU’s plan to create a sustainable economy. By viewing environmental challenges as opportunities, the hope is that the transition can be fair and inclusive. Packaging can play a key role in maintaining access to the products we love while boosting sustainability.