US PET Recycling Hit by Capacity Drop, Import Surge
Plastic Recycling | 2026-03-31 05:43:00
The shutdown of Evergreen Recycling, once North America’s third-largest facility, alone eliminated the capacity to process roughly 4 billion bottles annually.
By Paul Ploumis
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The U.S. PET recycling sector is facing mounting pressure as capacity declines and imports surge, raising concerns over long-term sustainability. According to insights shared during a recent webinar hosted by The Recycling Partnership, domestic reclaimer capacity has dropped by more than 25%, while imports have jumped nearly 300%, destabilizing the market.
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The shutdown of Evergreen Recycling, once North America’s third-largest facility, alone eliminated the capacity to process roughly 4 billion bottles annually. Industry experts speaking at the “From Crisis to Correction” session highlighted that seven out of 30 U.S. PET recycling facilities have closed within the past year.
Panelists, including representatives from Association of Plastic Recyclers, Waste Management, and Republic Services, emphasized that rising imports and low-cost virgin PET are undermining domestic recyclers.
Experts stressed that the issue is not technological but economic, pointing to weak buyer commitments. They called for stronger policy frameworks, including Extended Producer Responsibility, alongside firm commitments from manufacturers to prioritize domestically recycled PET to stabilize the U.S. recycling infrastructure.
POLL
What is the biggest challenge facing U.S. PET recycling today?
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is causing the current crisis in U.S. PET recycling?
The crisis is driven by falling domestic capacity, rising imports, and competition from cheaper virgin PET.
- How significant is the impact of facility closures?
Seven out of 30 facilities have shut down, including a major plant that processed 4 billion bottles annually.
- Why are imports affecting domestic recyclers?
Imported recycled PET is often cheaper, making it harder for U.S. recyclers to compete.
