Nearly 60% of PET bottles and containers places in the European market in 2016 were collected and recycled during the year, according to a recent PCI Wood Mackenzie PET recycle survey for West Europe.
In an 18 Dec statement, the European PET association Petcore Europe said the survey found that out of 3.147 million tonnes of PET bottles and containers, 59.8% – in total nearly 1.881 million tonnes – were collected.
Of that amount, 1,773,200 tonnes were mechanically recycled, according to the survey which was commissioned by Petcore Europe.
Collection rates increased by 7.4%, while the recycling rates also grew by 7.3%.
In 2016, that resulted in 129.400 tonnes more collected and 120.000 tonnes more recycled PET compared to 2014.
"These PET collection and recycling rates are unreached in the plastics packaging industry while it is worth mentioning that PET recyclers still have unexploited capacities for recycling," said Paola Arlotti from Equipolymers, Petcore Europe president.
"The figures clearly outline the crucial role of PET in a Circular Economy and for reaching the plastics recycling targets currently discussed on EU level."
France, Germany and Italy represent 47.9% of the total volume collected in the region, which was in line with the gradual decline in the top three's share (48.5% in 2014 and 53.3% in 2011). Spain and the UK have also joined the three countries to make the top five recyclers, contributing to 70.9% of total EU collections.