PET (#1 plastic) is the most recycled plastic in America — here is how to do it right
Note
This guide provides general recycling information based on common US municipal standards. Recycling rules vary by location, so please check with your local waste management authority for specific guidelines in your area.
PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate, also labeled as PETE. It is identified by the #1 resin code — the number "1" inside the triangular chasing arrows symbol stamped on the bottom of containers. PET is the most commonly recycled plastic in the United States and is accepted by virtually every curbside recycling program in the country.
| Product | Examples | Blue Bin? |
|---|---|---|
| Beverage bottles | Water, soda, juice, sports drinks, iced tea | Yes |
| Food jars | Peanut butter, salad dressing, jelly, mayonnaise | Yes |
| Clamshell containers | Berry boxes, bakery containers, salad boxes | Check locally |
| Thermoform trays | Deli trays, cookie trays, produce trays | Check locally |
| Mouthwash & condiment bottles | Mouthwash, vinegar, cooking oil bottles | Yes |
PET has a high recycling value, but contamination is the biggest obstacle to keeping it out of the landfill. Follow these steps to make sure your bottles actually get recycled.
Pour out all remaining liquid. A bottle with liquid left in it adds weight, attracts pests, and can leak onto other recyclables, contaminating paper and cardboard in the same bin.
Give it a brief rinse with water. This is especially important for bottles that held sugary drinks, juice, or salad dressing. A quick swish is enough — no soap needed.
Most US recycling programs now ask you to leave caps on. Loose caps (usually #5 PP) are too small to be sorted and fall through screens at the facility. Attached to the bottle, they get captured and recycled separately.
Flatten the bottle to reduce volume. This makes more room in your bin and in the collection truck. If your program asks for caps on, crush the bottle first, then screw the cap back on to keep it flat.
Drop the bottle loose into your curbside blue recycling bin. Do NOT put it in a plastic bag. Never bag your recyclables — bags jam sorting machinery at the facility.
If you live in a bottle deposit state, you can return PET bottles to a redemption center or reverse vending machine to get your deposit back (typically 5 or 10 cents per bottle).
Q. Should I crush PET bottles or leave them intact?
A. Crushing is helpful to save space. Some facilities prefer intact bottles for optical sorting, but most modern systems handle crushed bottles just fine. When in doubt, check with your local hauler.
Q. Do I need to remove the plastic ring left on the neck after opening?
A. No. The ring is made of the same PET or PP material and is handled during processing. Leave it on.
Q. Can I recycle a PET bottle that had cooking oil in it?
A. If you can rinse the oil out thoroughly, yes. If it still feels greasy after rinsing, it is better to trash it. Oily residue is one of the top contamination sources.
Q. Are colored PET bottles less valuable than clear ones?
A. Yes. Clear PET has the highest recycling value because it can be made into any color of new product. Colored PET has limited end uses. However, both are recyclable — always recycle them.
Ten US states (plus Guam) have bottle deposit laws (also called "bottle bills") that add a small deposit to the price of beverage containers at the point of sale. When you return the empty container, you get the deposit back. These programs dramatically increase recycling rates for PET bottles.
| State | Deposit Amount | Containers Covered |
|---|---|---|
| California | 5¢ (<24 oz) / 10¢ (≥24 oz) | Most beverages (beer, soda, water, juice, tea, coffee, spirits) |
| Connecticut | 5¢ | Beer, soft drinks, water, other non-dairy beverages |
| Hawaii | 5¢ | Most non-dairy, non-100% juice beverages |
| Iowa | 5¢ | Beer, soft drinks, wine, liquor, water |
| Maine | 5¢ / 15¢ (wine & spirits) | Most beverages including wine and spirits |
| Massachusetts | 5¢ | Beer, soft drinks, malt beverages, water |
| Michigan | 10¢ | Beer, soft drinks (highest deposit in the US) |
| New York | 5¢ | Beer, soft drinks, wine coolers, water |
| Oregon | 10¢ | Most beverages including water, juice, beer, and spirits |
| Vermont | 5¢ / 15¢ (liquor) | Beer, soft drinks, liquor, water |
Michigan, with its 10-cent deposit, consistently achieves PET bottle return rates above 90%. Oregon saw a 40% increase in returns when it raised its deposit from 5 to 10 cents in 2017. Bottle bills are one of the most effective tools for boosting recycling rates and reducing litter. If your state does not have one, consider supporting bottle bill legislation.
PET is one of the most versatile recycled materials. Once collected, sorted, and cleaned, PET flakes and pellets are turned into a wide range of new products:
Recycled PET can be processed back into food-grade resin for new beverage bottles. This closed-loop system is the highest-value use of recycled PET.
Most recycled PET in the US becomes polyester fiber. This is used for fleece jackets, T-shirts, athletic wear, tote bags, and shoes. Brands like Patagonia and Nike use rPET extensively.
PET fiber is a major feedstock for carpet manufacturing. About 28% of recycled PET in the US goes into carpet fiber.
Recycled PET becomes clamshell containers, egg cartons, produce trays, and other thermoformed packaging.
10 PET bottles = enough polyester fiber for 1 T-shirt
25 PET bottles = 1 fleece jacket
35 PET bottles = enough fiberfill for 1 sleeping bag
50 recycled PET bottles = 1 square yard of carpet
Americans use about 50 billion PET bottles per year, but only about 30% are recycled
Recycling PET is good, but using fewer PET bottles in the first place is far better for the environment. Manufacturing, transporting, and recycling all consume energy and resources. Here are practical ways to cut your PET bottle consumption.
If you currently drink one bottle of water per day, switching to a reusable bottle saves about 365 PET bottles per year. Over 10 years, that is 3,650 bottles — roughly 55 pounds of plastic kept out of landfills. Multiply that by every member of your household, and the impact grows quickly. Start today: fill up a reusable bottle before you leave the house.