Bottle recycling: how to take care of the environment by properly disposing of packaging?

The environmental awareness of society is systematically increasing, which can be seen in everyday consumer choices. People are increasingly looking for products that are environmentally friendly, which is driving businesses to implement solutions that support sustainable development. In response to these expectations, the PET packaging market is growing, especially in the cosmetics, food and chemical industries. PET bottle recycling helps reduce waste, but also allows for the reuse of raw materials. In this story we will explore the characteristics of this process and explain how to properly dispose of PET packaging.

What are PET packaging and bottles?

PET bottles, or bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate, are popular packaging used in the food, cosmetics and chemical industries. PET is a type of plastic that is characterized by high strength, adequate transparency, light weight and full recyclability. Due to these properties, PET bottles are widely used for holding beverages, water, oils, hygiene products, and cosmetics.

Why is PET bottle recycling important?

PET bottle recycling is a process that generates many benefits to both the environment and the industry. First, the production of PET bottles is much greener compared to glass. Producing PET bottles requires significantly less energy – they are processed at 280 degrees Celsius, while glass production takes as much as 1,700 degrees Celsius. Lower energy consumption translates into lower CO2 emissions, which is extremely important in the context of fighting climate changeIt is worth noting that PET bottles take up to 500 years to decompose in the natural environment, which poses a risk to ecosystems from contaminated soil and water, and may also negatively affect the lives of wild animals. This is why it is so important to promote PET bottle recycling and proper waste management.

How does the PET bottle recycling process work?

The PET recycling process may seem complicated and complex but it is thoroughly standardized by the European Union. This makes it completely safe and technically well-developed. It consists of several steps that allow used bottles to be processed into new products:

PET bottle collection

The first step is selective waste collection. Used PET bottles are collected in specially designated waste bins, which are usually located in public places and marked in yellow. Before throwing a bottle into the bin, it should be crushed (compacted) to reduce its volume. This allows more waste to fit in one bin, making it easier to transport to recycling plants. Also, remember to remove the cap to facilitate the recycling process.

PET bottle sorting

During the pre-sorting step, bottles are sorted manually or mechanically to remove foreign materials such as labels, caps and other types of plastic. Bottles are also sorted based on colour and chemical composition. They are then formed into bales and transported to processing plants.

Bottle pre-washing and mill grinding

Bottles are pre-washed to remove surface contaminants such as dirt, dust, residual liquids, labels and adhesive. Once so prepared, they can be transferred to the mill grinding process. Clean PET bottles are machine-ground into small pieces called PET flakes.

Separation of contaminants and processing of PET flakes

The PET flakes are passed through various mechanical separation systems, such as sieves and vibration separators, which remove any remaining impurities such as metal parts, sand or other plastics. The purified PET flakes are melted and processed into granulated PET. The granulate is the basic raw material for the making of new PET products. It is processed in injection moulding machines that shape it into new bottles or other packaging. Newly produced PET bottles undergo rigorous quality tests to ensure they meet all safety norms and standards.

PET bottle recycling and social responsibility

Social responsibility is a matter that is relevant to both businesses and consumers. Statistics show that every Pole discards an average of over 100 PET bottles per year, which for a population of over 37 million people gives a staggering 3.7 billion bottles. This is a huge amount, much of which ends up in landfills rather than recycling plants.

Each of us, as an individual consumer, should take responsibility for our actions and start by segregating waste. It is important to deliver PET bottles to appropriate containers for selective waste collection so that they can be reused. Businesses also have an important role to play in this process. More and more businesses are implementing the principles of a circular economy and recognizing the need to put in place sustainable practices that reduce the negative impact on the environment.

Joint action by both consumers and businesses can significantly contribute to improving the situation related to PET waste and environmental protection. By acting responsibly, we can build a more sustainable future together.