Europe's PET recycling rate jumped 7% in 2013: Petcore

BRUSSELS (Scrap Monster): The latest statistics released by Petcore Europe indicates that PET is the most recycled plastic material in Europe. The region recycled 1.64 million tonnes- equivalent to nearly 65 million PET bottles during the year 2013. The figures suggest a 7% increase in PET recycling rates in the region when compared with the previous year.

The non-profit trade body indicates that the PET demand has witnessed huge rise in demand during the year. It was the preferred choice among packaging materials, primarily due to its recycling ability. PET has penetrated into new markets with innovative applications. Figures indicate that nearly 56% of the PET containers in circulation were collected for recycling. However, there exists huge disparity in collection rates among member countries.

The body called for more joint efforts by member states to align the collection process. It also expressed the hope that such collective efforts could help the countries in the region to achieve the increased recycling targets set by the European Commission. Petcore Europe believes that standardized collection and sorting processes would help to further increase the recycling rates.

PET Container Recycling Europe, commonly known as Petcore, is a Brussels-based non-profit European trade association. Petcore was founded in 1993 to promote the collection, sorting and recycling of post-consumer PET bottles. It networks with national collection agencies, governments, and the recycling industry.