
The idea that recycled materials are of lower quality than virgin products is still widely held. In order to convey a sense of exceptional quality, a number of products explicitly state that they are “made of 100% virgin materials.” Early encounters with recycled materials, like discolored recycled paper, gave rise to this notion and left a bad impression that persisted.
That being said, the reality is very different. Thanks to significant improvements in contemporary recycling techniques, the quality, utility, and functionality of recycled materials are now on par with those of virgin materials. Recycled items are no longer stigmatized because new recycling methods now provide materials that perform as well as or better than their original counterparts. Even more pronounced is the societal stigma attached to recycled materials when it comes to products that come into touch with food. Particularly affected by this mistrust are perceptions about recycled food-grade products.
Before we look at and dispel certain long-held notions in this piece, let’s define Bottle to Bottle Recycled PET Resins (B2B rPET Resins). The polyester material known as PET plastic, or polyethylene terephthalate, is what the bottles we use on a regular basis are made of. The fact that this plastic is extremely recyclable is something that many people are unaware of. Its ability to be converted into fibers or resins that are used in a variety of goods shows how adaptable and promising recycling technologies are.
Why is this a significant issue?
This topic holds great importance as it contributes to the development of a sustainable future. The excessive demand for plastic in our daily lives puts a great deal of stress on our limited natural resources, and when consumers are better informed, they are more likely to choose to recycle. Many individuals never truly understand the advantages of recycled plastic because of this widespread yet antiquated assumption.
Myth 1: “Recycled chips are not safe for food contact.”
The FDA, EU, and FSSAI have established stringent safety regulations for recycled food-grade PET chips, guaranteeing their suitability for use in food packaging.
Post-consumer PET bottles undergo a rigorous sorting, cleaning, and purification procedure through a closed-loop recycling process that eliminates impurities using cutting-edge methods like vacuum decontamination. Technologies such as EREMA and POLYMETRIX SSP ensure precise filtration and maintain high safety standards during solid-state polymerization. Certifications from regulatory bodies such as the FDA, FSSAI, and EFSA provide additional proof of their dependability and safety.
For applications involving food contact, this guarantees that recycled PET chips retain their high purity and quality, making them a reliable and sustainable choice.
Myth 2: “rPET underperforms in injection or blows molding, leading to issues like wall thickness variation or short neck molding.”.
rPET bottles are thought to frequently have a non-uniform construction, with different sections of the bottle having irregular thicknesses. The precision of the injection molding procedure and the caliber of the resins utilized are mostly responsible for this variance. Superior rPET resins and refined molding processes can greatly enhance these bottles’ structural strength and uniformity.
Advanced SSP technologies like POLYMETRIX ensure better molecular weight retention in resins, directly improving their performance in molding applications. Manufacturers also employ state-of-the-art machinery, such as EREMA INTAREMA systems, to ensure consistency and strength in rPET bottles.
These developments are intended to guarantee that rPET bottles fulfill performance requirements while preserving the sustainability benefit of recycled materials, making them a dependable and environmentally responsible option for businesses all over the world.
Myth 3: “rPET can’t be recycled more than once.”
It’s a common misconception that bottles composed of recycled PET (rPET) cannot be recycled again. The quality of the material is not greatly affected by the continuous use of rPET bottles, which are actually completely recyclable. To keep the recycled material free of pollutants, it is crucial to adhere to appropriate sorting, cleaning, and reprocessing requirements.
The requirement for producing virgin PET can be decreased by properly handling rPET bottles, which can then be recycled back into new bottles, packaging, or even textiles. By disassembling rPET into its constituent parts, advanced technologies like chemical recycling are improving this cycle even further and enabling it to reach almost the same grade.
Industries can continue to reuse rPET in a sustainable way by adopting this circular model, which will lessen their influence on the environment and encourage more conscientious use of plastic.
Myth 4: “rPET has less strength as compared to vPET and isn’t as durable either”
When properly treated, recycled food-grade PET chips can perform, last, and have the same clarity as virgin materials.
Advanced color matching and customized formulas made possible by modern recycling technology guarantee that recovered chips satisfy specific functional and aesthetic standards. Applications for these materials are numerous and include thermoformed punnets, beverage bottles, and other premium packaging options.
Technologies like POLYMETRIX SSP ensure that rPET resins are optimized for strength and durability, making them as reliable as virgin materials. This has made rPET a favored option for environmentally aware companies because it not only preserves premium appearance and performance but also promotes sustainability.
Myth 5: “rPET contains harmful chemicals or toxins.”
A common misconception regarding rPET is that it adds toxic or dangerous substances to goods, particularly when it comes to applications involving food contact. But this is an incorrect belief. Global safety standards impose stringent regulations on PET production and recycling.
Technologies like EREMA’s VACUREMA systems ensure comprehensive decontamination during recycling. Certifications from regulatory bodies such as the FDA, EFSA, and FSSAI further confirm that rPET resins are completely safe for use in food-grade applications and devoid of hazardous materials.
Myth 6: “Using rPET increases environmental impact.”
Another myth is that utilizing virgin PET has less of an environmental impact than recycling and producing rPET. The misunderstanding frequently results from a lack of knowledge about the advantages of recycling.
When rPET is produced instead of virgin PET, the carbon footprint is greatly reduced. Energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions are minimized, thanks to innovations like EREMA’s INTAREMA technology and closed-loop systems. Utilizing already-existing materials helps conserve resources by reducing the demand for raw oil reserves
These processes ensure that any possible negative effects are outweighed by the positive environmental benefits of using rPET.
Conclusion
Misconceptions about recycled materials, particularly rPET, often stem from outdated ideas that no longer hold true. Thanks to advancements in recycling technology, recycled food-grade PET chips now match virgin materials in performance, safety, and appearance. Stringent certifications, innovative production methods, and proven reliability in applications like food packaging, bottles, and punnets have debunked myths surrounding their safety, recyclability, and quality.
Choosing Bottle-to-Bottle (B2B) rPET resins isn’t just a smart move that meets today’s quality standards—it’s an environmentally responsible choice for companies aiming for a sustainable future. By incorporating rPET, businesses can reduce their environmental footprint, conserve resources, and deliver high-quality, sustainable solutions to meet evolving customer expectations.
Let’s move past outdated stigmas and embrace trust in sustainable practices. Explore how JB Ecotex Ltd pioneers and supports this vision.