Fun Facts About PET

• The PET bottle was patented in 1973 by chemist Nathaniel Wyeth (brother of distinguished American painter Andrew Wyeth).

 

• The first PET bottle was recycled in 1977.

 

• An estimated 9,400 curbside collection programs and 10,000 drop-off programs collect PET plastic in the United States, currently.

 

• Approximate number of PET beverage bottles per pound:
  16 oz. — 18 bottles per pound
  20 oz. — 16 bottles per pound
  1 liter — 12 bottles per pound
  2 liter — 9 bottles per pound
  3 liter — 5 bottles per pound

 

• Cubic yards conserved in a landfill by recycling PET beverage bottles:
  4,800 recycled 16-ounce bottles saves a cubic yard
  4,050 recycled 20-ounce bottles saves a cubic yard
  3,240 recycled 1-liter bottles saves a cubic yard
  2,430 recycled 2-liter bottles saves a cubic yard
  1,350 recycled 3-liter bottles saves a cubic yard

 

• Since 1978, manufacturers have reduced the weight of a two-liter bottle by about 29%, from 68 grams to 48 grams.

 

• Recycling a ton of PET containers saves 7.4 cubic yards of landfill space.

 

• According to the EPA, recycling a pound of PET saves approximately 12,000 BTU’s.

 

• The average household generated 42 pounds of PET plastic bottles in the year 2005.

 

• Custom bottles (which are bottles used for products other than carbonated soft drinks) represent 62% of all PET bottles available for recycling.

 

• Fourteen 20 oz. PET bottles yield enough fiber for an extra large T-shirt.

 

• It takes 14 20 oz. PET bottles to make one square foot of carpet.

 

• It takes 63 20 oz. PET bottles to make a sweater.

 

• Fourteen 20 oz. PET bottles yield enough fiberfill for a ski jacket.

 

• It takes 85 20 oz. PET bottles to make enough fiberfill for a sleeping bag.

 

Used from NAPOR website.

 

Danny Clark
ENSO Bottles, LLC
866-936-3676
www.ensobottles.com