The 2023 US recycling rate for PET bottles rose to 33pc, its highest level since 1996, according to data from the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR).
The US collected 1.96bn lbs of PET bottles for recycling in 2023, up by 2.7pc from 1.91bn in 2022, even while fewer bottles were produced, according to NAPCOR. Overall PET bottle production was 5.95bn lbs in 2023, a 9.8pc drop from 2022.
The rPET content rate in US bottles reached a high of 16.2pc in 2023, up from 13.2pc in 2022. Total US rPET content in bottles reached 966mn lbs in 2023, up from 870mn lbs in 2022.
NAPCOR said the increase in collection demonstrates increased demand for rPET across the US.
Overall North American PET bottle recycling rates also increased in 2023, reaching a high of 41.3pc.
Despite the increase in recycled production in 2023, it was a tough year for recyclers due to a drop in consumer spending, which tightened the amount that bottlers and brands were willing to spend on recycled material.
