Petcore reports that 612,000 tonnes were recycled in 2003

Petcore reports that 612,000 tonnes were recycled in 2003

European PET bottle recycling levels have reached a new high, according recycling association Petcore. The number of PET bales offered to recycling markets jumped 36% in 2003, from 449,000 tonnes in 2002 to 612,000 tonnes, said Petcore.

The growth rate was more than predicted; in May 2003 Petcore director general Frank Koelewijn said there had been a significant downturn in German plastic bottle recycling, due to introduction of a plastic bottle deposit scheme (PRW.com 9 May 2003).

In fact, the association reported that German PET recycling rates saw large increases in 2003. For the first time in many years the UK also saw large increases. It said exceptionally high growth rates were seen in Spain, Portugal, Hungary, the Baltic States and Ireland.

Bottle-to-bottle recycling had an 11.1% share of the market in 2003, up from 8.1% in 2002, polyester fibre had 70.4%, polyester sheet 7.5%, and strapping 7.6%.