Plastic waste from PET bottles is the major cause for generation of huge piles of garbage around the world. PET being a petrochemically synthesised polymeric compound is a serious threat to the environment as it is non-biodegradable and causes land, water, and air pollution. Chemically, PET is polyethylene terephthalate, a form of polyester extruded or moulded into plastic bottles and containers for packaging food, beverages, and consumer products. PET is widely used and is the most preferred packaging material owing to its transparent form, lightweight, high strength, and low-cost aspects. The post consumed PET waste is usually discarded and thrown as garbage.
Reduction, Reuse and Recycle are the three possible ways to minimise the menace of such PET bottle garbage. However, due to the various consumer-friendly usage benefits and cost-effectiveness, the ‘Reduction’ in consumption seems least likely, rather the production of PET is continuously increasing due to its growing demand. Though the ‘Reuse’ of PET material is often done in developing economies, but the extent of such reuse is limited. Therefore, the only way to control this threat is to ‘Recycle’ waste PET bottles.
The recycling of PET bottles enables the conservation of natural sources such as fossil fuels, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, lowers the carbon footprint, and creates new business opportunities. Therefore, recycling of PET bottles is considered the best option to economically reduce PET waste.
The major advantages of recycling PET bottle garbage waste are:
Reduces landfill area
Avoids water pollution
Minimises soil contamination
Lowers petroleum consumption
Helps create wealth from waste
Improves sustainability
The PET waste is converted into r-PET (Recycled PET) for making garments, and both apparel brands as well as fashion-savvy consumers are found to be keen and enthusiastic to try such garments made from waste PET bottles. Moreover, as the petroleum prices increase, r-PET becomes financially feasible in place of manufacturing virgin PET. The current trend indicates that the recycling of PET waste will reach 25 million tons by 2025.
Producing r-PET: The steps involved in this process are as follows:
PET bottles are sterilised, dried, and crushed into small chips
Chips are heated and passed through a spinneret to form strings of yarn
Yarn is then passed through a crimping machine to create a fluffy texture
Yarn is then baled, dyed and knitted into polyester fabric.
