The US National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) has announced a Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) recycling rate of 21.6% and a collected volume of 1.03 billion pounds for PET post consumer containers in the United States for the year ended December 31, 2004. This is the highest recycling rate for post consumer PET containers since 2001, and represents record recycled PET collection volumes.

The use of post consumer recycled PET increased 59% from 2003 to 2004 to a record 878 million pounds. Recycled post consumer PET is used in a variety of applications, including fiber for carpeting and apparel, strapping, and food and non-food containers. In the United States, supply of post consumer recycled containers continues to be inadequate to meet the growing demand for recycled content products.

Gerry Claes, Director, Environmental Programs for Graham Packaging and Chairman of NAPCOR, stated, "We are pleased with the increased recycling rate of PET containers in 2004 which reversed the decline of the last three years. The record level of collected post consumer PET containers is a sign of the success of curbside and other collection programs in the United States. NAPCOR encourages everyone to continue to recycle their PET containers and to support the increasing end uses for this material."

PET plastic containers are easily identified by the #1 code on or near the bottom of the container. PET is a popular package for food and non-food products because it is lightweight, shatter-resistant, safe and recyclable. Some of the products packaged in PET containers include soft drinks, juice, water, peanut butter, salad dressings, cosmetics, household cleaners, and tennis balls. Details of the 2004 PET Recycling Rate Study and other information about PET can be found on the NAPCOR website, www.napcor.com.

Founded in 1987, the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) is the trade association for the PET plastic industry in the United States and Canada. NAPCOR is dedicated to the recycling of post consumer PET containers and to the promotion of PET packaging