NAPCOR AND APR REPORT HIGHEST PET RECYCLING RATE SINCE 1997

"This healthy rate increase is a real reminder of the ongoing viability of recycling and the country’s commitment to it," said Bill O’Grady, APR Chairman and Vice President of Talco Plastics. "We at APR certainly support increased recycling and end-use markets for recycled resins, and we see the increasing PET recycling rate as an encouraging trend."

The Report also details the end-uses for a record 915 million pounds of recycled PET utilized in U.S. manufacturing applications, including fiber for carpet and apparel, strapping, sheet, film, food, beverage, and non-food bottles and containers.

"It is very satisfying to see this significant jump in the PET recycling rate," said Tom Busard, NAPCOR Chairman and Vice President, Global Procurement and Material Systems, Plastipak Packaging, Inc. "Using recycled PET in the manufacture of goods and packaging is energy and resource-efficient and a good example of sustainable practice. We are committed to working with our industry partners to meet the increased demand from the manufacturing applications that use – or would like to use – recycled PET."

This is the fourth year that NAPCOR, the APR, and PETRA have partnered to produce this Report and the fourteenth year that NAPCOR has issued the Report in its current format. "The PET Recycling Rate Report is an important tool for our industry and we’re pleased to partner with NAPCOR and the APR on its release," commented Mark Adlam, Chairman of PETRA and North America Commercial Manager of M&G Polymers.

Founded in 1987, the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) is the trade association for the PET plastic industry in the United States and Canada. NAPCOR is dedicated to the promotion of the PET package; to overcoming hurdles to the successful recycling of PET; and to the communication of the attributes of the PET container as a sustainable package.

The Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR) is the national trade association representing companies who acquire, reprocess, and sell the output of more than 90 percent of the post-consumer plastic processing capacity in North America. Founded in 1992, its membership includes independent recycling companies of all sizes, processing numerous resins. APR strongly advocates the recycling of all post-consumer plastic packaging.

PETRA is the trade association of North American PET resin manufacturers. The association is dedicated to promoting the growth of PET products and representing North American PET resin producers.

The full "2008 Report on Postconsumer PET Container Recycling Activity" can be found on the NAPCOR and APR websites.