In a report published on July 10, 2023, consultancy Systemiq examined circular economy pathways for polyethylene terephthalates (PET) including across packaging and textiles, where it is referred to as polyester. The goal of the report was to model and evaluate approaches for the European polyester system with high circularity and low emissions.
While approximately half of all PET bottles are currently recycled in Europe, most other PET articles have very low or non-existent recycling rates, according to the report. Overall, around 25% of all PET and other polyesters are recycled, while the remainder ends up in landfills or incineration plants for energy recovery.
The authors believe that by applying new emerging technologies, such as chemical PET recycling, together with circular economy innovations, such as reuse systems, the growing demand for recycled PET (rPET) can be met sustainably.
According to the models used by the authors to forecast different scenarios, “[a]mbitious application of known circular economy solutions could reduce landfill and incineration by 70% and halve [PET related] greenhouse gas emissions by 2040,” as well as, “reduce PET/polyester consumption by one third, by expanding the reuse of packaging and textiles and reducing avoidable PET/polyester usage.” To reach these milestones, every part of the system requires improvements, including transitioning from single-use food packaging to reusable alternatives or the standardization of product designs to increase mechanical and chemical recyclability.
In addition, the report also mentions the need for policymakers and industry to act. “Additional regulatory clarity is still required to build investor confidence and unlock the multibillion-euro investments that will be required to bring these system changes to life,” the authors pointed out.
The report does not specifically discuss how to deal with the chemicals present in PET and the known risk that hazardous chemicals can concentrate in recycled PET. PET bottles made from virgin materials already contain many chemicals, and additional chemicals may be added intentionally during recycling to increase the rPET’s properties. (FPF reported, also here and here). The ability of chemical recycling to properly remove hazardous chemicals has previously attracted regulatory scrutiny (FPF reported), and the viability of scaling up and safely operating chemical recycling facilities at a meaningful level has also been questioned (FPF reported). A recent article led by scientists from the Food Packaging Forum found that 853 chemicals may be present in recycled PET food packaging, and many of these chemicals have not been tested for their toxicity (FPF reported).
Reference
Systemiq (July 10, 2023) “Circular PET and Polyester: A circular economy blueprint for packaging and textiles in Europe.” (pdf).
