PET bottle recycling

Accordingly, PET bottle recycling is increasing steadily, an effect which is compounded by an overall increase in consumption amounts and collection rates in some markets. On a world-wide basis, doubling of the PET bottle collection... 

D.O Sullivan, PET Bottles Recycled into Insulation Foam. Chem Eng. News, 68, 25, Feb. 12... 

In particular, to a mixture of PET bottle recyclate and PA 6, benzoic acid is added as chain stopper. Further, disodium phosphate serves as an antioxidant. The mixture is molten under inert gas. To the melt, HMD is charged. After discharging and cooling, the ethylene glycol released... 

The applications to recycling include use as an allowable material which would not hinder recycling (because it would be easily dissolved) and as a recyclable product. A PET beverage bottle which is afFixed with such a soluble film plastic label, cup adhesive and ink, would allow for less contaminant in the PET recycle. Contamination of paper label residue and adhesives is a problem with PET bottle recycling. This also allows for recycle of the adhesive and film by precipitation from the alkaline wash. 

A method has been devised for the microseparation of PVC from PET in which the PVC is subjected to a process of selective bulking which causes it to float. This method is ideally suited for the removal of small quantities of PVC from large quantities of PET bottle recycle as is generally the case in the USA. However, in Europe, PVC can be a major component in the recycle stream and thus must also be recycled. Froth flotation of PVC contaminants provides an efficient way for PVC removal in the recychng of PET bottles. ... 

EPA reported an overall recycling rate for PET containers of 21.7 percent in 1998, a total of 720 million pounds. NAPCOR reported a PET bottle recycling rate of 24.8 percent in 1998, for a total of 745 million pounds. The rate fell to 23.7 percent, 771 million pounds, in 1999 and fell again to 22.3 percent, 769 million pounds, in 2(XX). Recycling rates for PET have been falling since 1994 (Fig. 12.16). The U.S.A. is both an importer and exporter of post-consumer PET, in baled bottle or dirty flake form. Exports totaled 170 million pounds in 2000, all but 19.5 million of these going to China. Imports totaled 69 million pounds, with bottles coming from Canada, Mexico, and Europe. ... 

N. Yoda. Corporate Management in the Age of Global Environmental Awareness A Case Study of PET-Bottle-Recycling Issues in Japan. Polym. Int., 48, 944-951 (1999). 

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