Latest research gives PET's environmental footprint more support

The much-maligned PET bottle’s stature has risen, based on analysis results from testing done by a trade organization in Germany. European Plastics News reports that IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen has found that PET bottles are now on a par with glass in being environmentally friendly.

The article notes that the trade group conducted separate measurements for manufacturing, bottle fabrication, filling, distribution, and recycling for both PET and glass bottles. The analysis found improvement nearly across the board for PET bottles.

This new finding comes on the heels of recent research conducted by Franklin Associates on behalf of the PET Resin Association. The cradle-to-grave study compared PET bottles versus glass and aluminum containers for soft drinks. The company found that PET provides the lowest environmental footprint of the three materials.