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RECYCLING :: PLASTICS :: FUN FACTS
- The PET bottle was patented in 1973 by chemist
Nathaniel Wyeth (brother of distinguished American
painter Andrew Wyeth).
- The first PET bottle was recycled in 1977.
- An estimated 9,400 curbside collection programs
and 10,000 drop-off programs collect PET plastic in
the United States, currently.
- Approximate number of PET beverage bottles per
pound:
16 oz. -- 18 bottles per pound
20 oz. -- 16 bottles per pound
1 liter -- 12 bottles per pound
2 liter -- 9 bottles per pound
3 liter -- 5 bottles per pound
- Cubic yards conserved in a landfill by recycling
PET beverage bottles:
4,800 recycled 16-ounce bottles saves a cubic yard
4,050 recycled 20-ounce bottles saves a cubic yard
3,240 recycled 1-liter bottles saves a cubic yard
2,430 recycled 2-liter bottles saves a cubic yard
1,350 recycled 3-liter bottles saves a cubic yard
- Since 1978, manufacturers have reduced the
weight of a two-liter bottle by about 29%, from 68
grams to 48 grams.
- Recycling a ton of PET containers saves 7.4
cubic yards of landfill space.
- According to the EPA, recycling a pound of PET
saves approximately 12,000 BTU's.
- The average household generated 42 pounds of PET
plastic bottles in the year 2005.
- Custom bottles (which are bottles used for
products other than carbonated soft drinks)
represent 62% of all PET bottles available for
recycling.
- Fourteen 20 oz. PET bottles yield enough fiber
for an extra large T-shirt.
- It takes 14 20 oz. PET bottles to make one
square foot of carpet.
- It takes 63 20 oz. PET bottles to make a
sweater.
- Fourteen 20 oz. PET bottles yield enough
fiberfill for a ski jacket.
- It takes 85 20 oz. PET bottles to make enough
fiberfill for a sleeping bag.
Fun facts courtesy of
http://www.napcor.com |
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