As of 2018, the recycling rate of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles in Norway was 97 percent, making it a world leader in recycling. In comparison, the recycling rate of these plastic bottles in the United States was just 29 percent.
Norway's high recycling rate can be explained by the country's efficient deposit return scheme. When consumers purchase plastic bottles, they pay a small additional fee on top of the price of the product and are reimbursed this once they are returned to reverse vending machines. The scheme has proved so effective that other countries have followed suit. In the UK, 86 percent of people support the idea of supermarket deposit return schemes for plastic and glass bottles, as well as drink cans.
PET plastic bottle recycling rates in select countries as of 2018*
Characteristic
Recycling rate
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Exclusive Premium Statistic
To access all Premium Statistics, you need a paid Statista Account
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Basel Convention. (February 24, 2020). PET plastic bottle recycling rates in select countries as of 2018* [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 24, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1166550/plastic-bottle-recycling-rates-in-select-countries/
Basel Convention. "PET plastic bottle recycling rates in select countries as of 2018*." Chart. February 24, 2020. Statista. Accessed August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1166550/plastic-bottle-recycling-rates-in-select-countries/
Basel Convention. (2020). PET plastic bottle recycling rates in select countries as of 2018*. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1166550/plastic-bottle-recycling-rates-in-select-countries/
Basel Convention. "Pet Plastic Bottle Recycling Rates in Select Countries as of 2018*." Statista, Statista Inc., 24 Feb 2020, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1166550/plastic-bottle-recycling-rates-in-select-countries/
Basel Convention, PET plastic bottle recycling rates in select countries as of 2018* Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1166550/plastic-bottle-recycling-rates-in-select-countries/ (last visited August 24, 2024)
PET plastic bottle recycling rates in select countries as of 2018* [Graph], Basel Convention, February 24, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1166550/plastic-bottle-recycling-rates-in-select-countries/