PET Plastic Bottles Have A Significantly Lower Environmental Impact Compared to Glass Bottles and Aluminum Cans
NAPCOR’s Life Cycle Assessment shows that PET plastic bottles produce less greenhouse gas emissions and are the best option for the planet
Charlotte, NC (March 6, 2023) – The National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) today is releasing a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that compares polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, glass and aluminum carbonated soft drink (CSD) and still water beverage container systems. The assessment found that PET plastic bottles, when compared to aluminum cans and glass bottles, are significantly better for the environment.
The study was completed by Franklin Associates, a leading LCA consulting firm and pioneer in the field, and went through an extensive peer review and verification process. Findings unequivocally show that when it comes to the best beverage packaging for the environment, the answer is PET.
Plastic packaging made from PET is used in over 70% of beverage containers because it’s lightweight, clear and 100% recyclable. Compared to glass and aluminum beverage containers, PET plastic bottles create less solid waste, use less water during production and generate fewer emissions that contribute to acid rain and smog.
If U.S. consumers selected PET plastic bottles instead of glass bottles for their soda beverages over the course of one year, it would be the same as:
- The amount of GHG emissions avoided by recycling instead of landfilling nearly 53,000 garbage trucks of waste
- The carbon sequestered by adding almost 1.3 million acres of U.S. forest
Similarly, if U.S. residents choose PET plastic bottles instead of aluminum cans for their soda beverages over the course of one year, resulting impacts would be the same as:
- Conserving 4.4 billion liters of water
- Removing 688,000 gas powered cars off the road annually
- Diverting 138 million bags filled with trash for recycling versus landfills
The LCA compared the most commonly used beverage containers for carbonated soft drinks and still water and found that a 16.9 ounce PET plastic water bottle compared to a standard-size 12 ounce aluminum can:
- Creates 80% less solid waste
- Uses 53% less water during production
- Has 74% lower global warming potential
- Generates 68-83% fewer emissions that contribute to the formation of acid rain and smog
“The LCA scientifically and credibly demonstrates how plastic packaging provides significant environmental benefits that will help the world meet its vital net zero carbon targets,” said Laura Stewart, Executive Director of NAPCOR. “A PET bottle is 100% recyclable and can be made with 100% recycled content. The LCA’s results should be empowering for businesses and consumers because we can confirm once again that choosing PET plastic beverage containers is the best option for the planet.”
This cradle-to-grave LCA looked at commonly used PET plastic, glass and aluminum beverage containers for CSD and still water. It found that glass tends to have the highest environmental impacts, followed by aluminum and then PET bottles. PET plastic bottles are a more sustainable beverage container option and have a lower impact on several key environmental metrics, including greenhouse gas emissions, energy demand, water consumption, smog, acid rain and eutrophication potential.
“We are sensitive to the additional issue of waste management that comes with any discussion of packaging,” adds Stewart. “By conducting the LCA we hope to better inform consumers, brands and legislators about their packaging options and the impact on the environment. At NAPCOR, we are committed to working closely with our partners, customers and community members to increase the rates of plastic recycling. The full benefits of choosing PET come about when we recycle it.”
To read the full LCA and learn more about the sustainability of PET, visit https://napcor.com/LCA-Report.
About the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR)
Founded in 1987, the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) is the industry association for the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic packaging industry in the United States, Canada and Mexico. NAPCOR is dedicated to promoting the PET package; to overcoming hurdles to the successful recycling of PET; and to communicating the attributes of the PET container as a sustainable package. Learn more at https://napcor.com/.