Benefits for the Environment

Using recycled materials in production requires much less energy than for virgin production because the recycled products are already partially converted into the final product.  Over 95% of the total energy required to produce one kilogram of virgin plastic is due to the extraction and refining of crude oil.

The largest part of the Carbon Footprint of any product comes from the raw material. Using rPET saves a significant amount of energy due to a reduced need to process oil into polymer, and thus helps to minimize the total amount of CO2 emissions.

The U.S. EPA estimates that the energy savings from recycling rather than landfilling PET bottles are equivalent to 24 million Btu/ton. Analysis of a number of LCA studies by WRAP in the U.K. have indicated that, on average, recycling of 1 tonne of plastic saves 1.5 tonnes of CO2 equivalent versus landfill or incineration.  

In early 2009. PIRA International completed a carbon footprint analysis comparing Holfeld Plastics rPET trays (80% PCR PET content) and Sharp Interpack rPP (10% PCR HDPE content). This study found that Holfeld Plastics rPET trays had a 28.2 % lower carbon footprint compared to rPP trays of the same weight.

This study also concluded that the carbon footprint for the production of PCR PET flake is 89% lower than that of virgin PET granules. The inclusion of 80% PCR PET  in Holfeld rPET products has led to a 74% CO2 saving on raw materials and a 47% reduction in the carbon footprint of Holfeld rPET products over the entire cradle to grave lifecycle.