A new study commissioned by Forum PET has revealed that polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles were recycled at a rate of around 93.5% in Germany in 2015.
Conducted by the GVM packaging market research association, the study also found that the rate of one-way deposit PET bottles reached 97.9% in the country last year.
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By GlobalDataThe study, which focused on the use and recycling rates of PET beverage bottles in Germany, has noted that bottle deposits have increased PET bottle recycling in the country.
According to the study, Germany’s beverage industry was mainly responsible for recycling PET bottles, with 34% of the recycled material being used to produce new bottles in 2015.
Compared to 2013, PET bottles manufactured last year featured 26% more recycled materials on average.
Forum PET director Dr. Isabell Schmidt said: “PET bottles take the lion’s share in recycling rates compared to other forms of packaging.
“Consumers keep the material cycle running at a high level by returning bottles, much to the benefit of the environment.
“We would have hoped for an even higher increase, but we have to appreciate the PET industry’s commitment all the more considering the adverse price development. The industry is committed to sustainability.”
The PET material cycle mainly takes place in Germany, with 80% of used PET recycled domestically in the country last year.
According to the study, the recycled PET bottles were mainly exported to neighbouring countries.
Germany's recycling system deals with 98.8% of deposit bottles, most of which customers return via a reverse vending machine.
It is also estimated that, on average, 95.7% of all PET bottles are collected separately in Germany, while the remaining volume is disposed of in household waste.
Image: New study shows that 93.5% of PET bottles were recycled in Germany last year. Photo: courtesy of Forum PET.