Found in products ranging from food trays and active wear to carpets, PET and polyester account for 30% of the country’s plastic packaging and textiles use, contributing significantly to plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Yet they also have high potential for circular economy approaches that reduce waste and emissions and create economic opportunities.
A new study, published by Systemiq with support from Closed Loop Partners, Eunomia and The Recycling Partnership, outlines a comprehensive roadmap to transition the US PET packaging and polyester textile industries: from a linear, single-use model towards circular, low-waste and low-emission systems by 2040.
On current trends, PET/polyester consumption could grow 1.5 times by 2040, resulting in 13 million metric tons of waste being sent to landfill and incineration annually – equivalent to 750,000 garbage trucks. But moving these industries away from their single-use model – and towards circular, low-emission systems – could cut waste, create U.S. jobs and mitigate climate change.
