How Smart Policy Can Strengthen PET Recycling and Circularity
Effective PET recycling policy helps increase collection, improve access to recycled PET, and support a stronger circular economy for plastic packaging.
Smart, practical public policy can help increase polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling by improving collection systems, expanding recycling infrastructure, and supporting strong markets for recycled PET. These efforts can reduce plastic waste, advance circularity, lower emissions, and strengthen U.S. supply chains and manufacturing.
PETRA’s Advocacy Priorities
PETRA supports practical, science-based policies that strengthen recycling, protect food-contact safety, and advance circularity for PET packaging. PETRA’s advocacy priorities include:
Key PET Recycling and Policy Issues
PET Recycling and Circularity
PET is highly recyclable and supported by an established recycling system. When collected and processed properly, PET can be remade into new packaging and other products, supporting a more circular packaging system.
Policies that strengthen collection, recycling infrastructure, and demand for recycled PET can help increase recovery rates and improve recycling outcomes. PETRA supports policy approaches that reflect how PET is collected, sorted, processed, and reused in real-world systems.
How EPR and Deposit Return Systems Can Strengthen PET Recycling
A strong PET recycling system depends on effective collection, clear consumer education, modern processing infrastructure, and reliable end markets. PETRA supports investment in infrastructure and policies that help collect more PET and improve recycling performance.
Policy tools such as extended producer responsibility (EPR), deposit return systems (DRS), recycled-content requirements, and other collection-focused approaches should be designed to strengthen recycling systems, increase access to high-quality recycled PET, and support practical, measurable outcomes.
PET: Safe for Food Contact. Most Recycled. Essential to Modern Packaging
PET is widely used in food and beverage packaging because it is suitable for food contact and helps protect product safety and quality. PETRA supports policies that preserve the safety and integrity of PET and recycled PET used in food-contact applications.
What Does the Science Say About PET and Microplastics?
As policymakers, regulators, and the public continue to evaluate emerging research, PETRA encourages stakeholders to rely on credible scientific information and to distinguish PET-specific evidence from broader discussions about plastics. PET is one of the most studied and regulated food-contact materials in existence. It is approved for food and beverage contact by leading regulatory agencies worldwide, including the FDA and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Both the FDA and the WHO have stated that current scientific evidence does not demonstrate that levels of microplastics or nano plastics detected in foods pose a risk to human health.
Resources on PET Recycling, Safety, and Circularity
Understand PET, PET packaging, PET recycling, and the role of PET in a circular economy.
NAPCOR 2024 PET Recycling Report
PETRA Bottle Ban Fact Sheet
Proven Ineffectiveness of Plastic Bottle Bans Many cities have taken proactive measures to ban the sale of single-use plastic water bottles, typically in hopes of increasing sustainability and/or mitigating excess…
An Introduction to PET (polyethylene terephthalate)
PET (also abbreviated PETE) is short for polyethylene terephthalate, the chemical name for polyester.PET is a clear, strong, and lightweight plastic that is widely used for packaging foods and beverages,…
PET Resin Facts At A Glance
PET is the common name for polyethylene terephthalate, also known as polyester. It is a clear, strong, and lightweight plastic that is non-reactive and resistant to attack by micro-organisms. It…
Working With Policymakers and Stakeholders
PETRA works with policymakers, regulators, industry partners, and other stakeholders to provide accurate information about PET resin and PET packaging. PETRA’s goal is to support informed policy discussions that recognize PET’s safety, recyclability, performance, and role in a circular economy.
For additional information, policy resources, or questions about PETRA’s advocacy work, please contact us.