The recycling rate of post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles sourced in the United States was decreased in 2020 to 27.1 percent. By weight, PET bottles accounted for some 65 percent of U.S. sourced post-consumer bottles recovered for recycling in 2020.
Plastic waste generation
The use of plastics began to gain popularity in the 1960’s as mass production costs fell. Since then, municipal plastic waste generation in the U.S. has increased dramatically. By 1990, the volume of plastic generated in the municipal solid waste stream amounted to 17 million tons, and by 2018 this figure had risen above 35 million tons.
Plastic waste exports
The United States is one of the largest exporters of plastic waste worldwide. In 2021, U.S. scrap plastic exports totaled 1.21 billion pounds. Nevertheless, U.S. exports of plastic waste have fallen substantially in recent years, mainly due to import countries, such as China, banning foreign shipments.
Recycling rates of post-consumer plastic bottles sourced in the United States in 2019 and 2020, by material type
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Association of Plastic Recyclers. (April 22, 2022). Recycling rates of post-consumer plastic bottles sourced in the United States in 2019 and 2020, by material type [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/623553/plastic-bottle-recycling-rates-in-the-us-by-material-type/
Association of Plastic Recyclers. "Recycling rates of post-consumer plastic bottles sourced in the United States in 2019 and 2020, by material type." Chart. April 22, 2022. Statista. Accessed December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/623553/plastic-bottle-recycling-rates-in-the-us-by-material-type/
Association of Plastic Recyclers. (2022). Recycling rates of post-consumer plastic bottles sourced in the United States in 2019 and 2020, by material type. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/623553/plastic-bottle-recycling-rates-in-the-us-by-material-type/
Association of Plastic Recyclers. "Recycling Rates of Post-consumer Plastic Bottles Sourced in The United States in 2019 and 2020, by Material Type." Statista, Statista Inc., 22 Apr 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/623553/plastic-bottle-recycling-rates-in-the-us-by-material-type/
Association of Plastic Recyclers, Recycling rates of post-consumer plastic bottles sourced in the United States in 2019 and 2020, by material type Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/623553/plastic-bottle-recycling-rates-in-the-us-by-material-type/ (last visited December 21, 2024)
Recycling rates of post-consumer plastic bottles sourced in the United States in 2019 and 2020, by material type [Graph], Association of Plastic Recyclers, April 22, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/623553/plastic-bottle-recycling-rates-in-the-us-by-material-type/
