Progress reported in PET recycling

Journal Article · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · JAPCA, International Journal of Air Pollution Control and Waste Management; (USA)

OSTI ID:5150621

The Goodyear Polyester Division has demonstrated its ability to break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from recycled plastic soft drink bottles and remanufacture the material into PET suitable for containers. Most people are familiar with PET in the form of lightweight, shatter resistant beverage bottles. About 20 percent of these beverage containers currently are being recycled. The recycled PET is currently used in many applications such as carpeting, pillow stuffing, sleeping bag filling, insulation for water heaters and non-food containers. This is the first step of Goodyear's increased efforts to recycle PET from containers into a material suitable for food packing. The project is extremely complex, involving sophisticated understanding of the chemical reactions involved, PET production and the technology testing protocols necessary to design a process that addresses all the technical, safety, and regulatory concerns. The research conducted so far indicated that additional processing beyond simply cleaning the shredded material, called flake, will be required to assure a quality polymer.

• OSTI ID: 5150621
• Journal Information: JAPCA, International Journal of Air Pollution Control and Waste Management; (USA), Journal Name: JAPCA, International Journal of Air Pollution Control and Waste Management; (USA) Vol. 39:6; ISSN JIJME; ISSN 0894-0630
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320604* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Municipal Waste Management-- (1980-)
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ESTERS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MUNICIPAL WASTES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
POLYESTERS
POLYMERS
RECYCLING
SOLID WASTES
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES