PET – definition, food industry-friendly properties
PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, is a plastic material with high strength and very good transparency. It is lightweight, easy to form and resistant to damage, which makes it ideal for the production of bottles and other plastic packaging.
PET is a material that is ideal for contact with food. It allows us to store water, juices, oils, food products and household chemicals in a safe and hygienic manner.
PET plastic is also attractive from an industrial point of view – its production is relatively cheap, and its functional properties (lightness, resistance) translate into lower transport and logistics costs.
PET and rPET bottles – two sides of the same plastic
PET bottles are the most common type of single-use packaging, found in shops almost everywhere. The number "1" in the recycling triangle and the letters "PET" or "PETE" indicate that the bottle is made of PET and is recyclable.
rPET is nothing more than recycled PET – a material created through the recycling of PET bottles. Such a bottle can look almost identical to one made from new plastic, and its use significantly reduces waste and the production of packaging from virgin materials (i.e. crude oil).
Both regular PET bottles and those made from rPET can be reprocessed and used to produce new packaging or, for example, synthetic fibre clothing.
How are PET bottles recycled and what is made from the recovered plastic?
The PET bottle recycling process begins when you throw an empty bottle into a yellow bin. It is then sent to a sorting plant, where it is cleaned and shredded. The granulate produced in this process is used to manufacture new products.
It is worth noting that bottle recycling is becoming increasingly common, starting with placing the bottle in a special device available in shops — this device is called a bottle machine — the customer throws in the bottle and receives a deposit of a few pence.
PET recycling or reprocessing is used to produce, among other things:
- new plastic bottles (including rPET bottles),
- PET film and packaging,
- synthetic fibre textiles (e.g. fleece),
- materials for the production of floor coverings and video cassettes.
This is a good example of a circular economy, where plastics do not end up as waste, but are given a new use.
4. Are PET bottles safe? Health and contact with plastic
Although PET is approved for contact with food, consumers are increasingly wondering whether plastic bottles are healthy. The good news is that PET does not contain bisphenol A, which is why many packages are labelled "BPA free".
However, this does not mean that they can be used without restriction. Single-use PET bottles should not be refilled, especially if they have been exposed to sunlight or high temperatures. Long-term use of such bottles can lead to the release of plastic microparticles and have a negative impact on health, particularly the endocrine system.
There are also special reusable bottles, but it is worth checking what material they are made of and whether they are actually intended for long-term use.
5. PET and the environment – impact, challenges and the future of the material
Although PET plastic can be recycled, many bottles still end up in landfill instead of being sent to a recycling plant. This is why it is so important to sort waste correctly – e.g. by putting it in the appropriate plastic recycling bin.
The use of rPET reduces the consumption of raw materials such as crude oil and also reduces CO₂ emissions. More and more companies are introducing packaging made from recycled PET, which demonstrates growing environmental awareness.
Although PET is not perfect, its advantages – recyclability, high strength, safety in food storage – mean that it still has great potential. The key to the sustainable use of this material is education and a responsible approach – both on the part of manufacturers and consumers.
Would you like to start using PET bottles in your business? Visit our shop and see what we have to offer.
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