rPET, or recycled PET plastic (polyethylene terephthalate), is a sustainable alternative to virgin PET. Widely used in packaging, PET is the material behind most water bottles. When these PET items are recycled, they are ground and melted into pellets. These pellets, known as rPET, can be reshaped into various products while maintaining similar characteristics to virgin PET, including the ability to withstand temperatures up to 70℃.
Why is rPET Important for the Packaging Industry?
The packaging sector accounted for 40.5% of plastic demand in Europe in 2020 (Plastics Europe). PET is omnipresent in packaging, and transitioning to rPET represents a breakthrough in reducing plastic waste. By reusing virgin PET, rPET helps address environmental challenges while supporting a circular economy.
Applications of rPET Beyond Packaging
rPET isn’t limited to packaging. It’s also used in textiles, such as clothing made from recycled water bottles. In this process, molten PET is spun into fibers instead of moulded into pellets. This versatility makes rPET a valuable material across industries.
When is a Product Classified as rPET?
For a product to be considered rPET, it must meet a minimum recycled content requirement. Unfortunately, some countries lack clear regulations, allowing products with as little as 1-5% recycled content to be marketed as “recycled.” At VIS, we commit to transparency by ensuring our products contain at least 51% recycled content, guaranteeing that over half of the material is genuinely recycled.
Best End-of-Life for rPET Products
Recycling remains the best end-of-life option for rPET products. By recycling rPET packaging, we can keep resources in use and reduce environmental impact. Like other plastic packaging, rPET items should be disposed of in plastic recycling bins.
How is rPET Affected by the SUP Directive?
The Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive has impacted certain rPET applications. For example:
- All single-use plastic cutlery and plates, including those made from rPET, were banned in Europe starting July 2021.
- By July 2022, rPET cups and containers must display the “Made of Plastic” turtle logo.
- Changes to rPET bottles and composite containers, including their lids, will take effect by 2024.
Is rPET Safe for Food Contact?
Yes, rPET is food-safe as long as it complies with relevant regulations. In Europe, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) ensures food safety standards under regulation EC 282/2008. At VIS, all rPET products meet these strict food safety requirements.
How Many Times Can Plastic Be Recycled?
Plastic can be recycled multiple times, but the exact number depends on the type of plastic and the recycling process. While some believe it can only be recycled once or twice, others suggest it can be recycled four to ten times. However, the quality of plastic typically degrades with each cycle, as the polymer chains shorten. To maintain quality, virgin plastic is often added to the mix.
Recycled vs. Recovered Plastic: What’s the Difference?
While “recycled” and “recovered” plastic are sometimes used interchangeably, they differ in meaning:
- Recycled plastic refers to waste repurposed into new products or materials.
- Recovered plastic is a broader term, including materials collected for recycling, even if they were discarded incorrectly or found in the environment.
Pre- vs. Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic
- Pre-consumer recycled plastic: Waste material recycled before reaching the consumer, typically generated during manufacturing.
- Post-consumer recycled plastic: Plastic recycled after being used by consumers, such as food packaging.
Why Choose rPET as a Material?
rPET is a durable, reusable, and widely recyclable material that supports circularity by enabling multiple uses. It’s also freezable, sturdy, and offers excellent sealing properties to keep food fresh. Instead of discarding plastic, rPET allows us to reuse existing materials, reducing waste and environmental impact.
Challenges of Using rPET
Despite its advantages, rPET faces challenges:
- Higher recycled content can reduce transparency.
- Some rPET products cannot meet food contact grade standards.
To overcome these issues, PET and rPET blends are often used. However, with advancements in waste processing technologies, these challenges may soon be resolved.
For more information about rPET materials, contact us at:
- Website: vnvis.com
- E-mail: Thông tin@vnvis.com
- Điện thoại: +84 28 2218 0050
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