Plastic bottles are one of the most common containers for drinking water, soda, or juice, as opposed to aluminum cans or glass bottles.
Reusing plastic bottles is one of the simplest and most well-known ways to help care for the environment. Often, we refill the same bottle with water, but does this have any consequences for our health? Here, we’ll discuss the advantages, potential risks, and alternatives.
How Many Times Can PET Be Used?
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is characterized by being transparent, lightweight, and safe to transport. Its versatility makes it a favorite among industries for manufacturing various products.
To ensure your bottle is made of PET, check for the triangular symbol with arrows and the number 1, usually located at the bottom of the container.
It is recommended to reuse bottles marked with PET 1 only, as they are free from toxic substances during use. However, for hygiene reasons, it’s best to refill them only 1 to 2 times.
Some containers contain bisphenol (BPA), a material that, without proper care, can release chemical substances when exposed to sunlight. This is why it’s crucial to verify the material of your bottle.
Once the container is discarded, it is processed in a recycling facility, where it can be recycled between 6 to 8 times. To maintain its properties, active agents are added during recycling to provide resistance and durability.
What Are the Benefits of Reusing PET?
Reusing PET bottles promotes a circular economy, which reduces plastic waste while producing goods and services (e.g., creating jobs for waste transportation, sorting, and treatment).
Additional benefits include: Preserving raw materials, reducing energy consumption, and lowering CO2 gas emissions.
What Other Plastics Can Be Recycled?
After answering how many times PET can be used, another question may arise: Are there other types of plastics that can be recycled?
The answer is yes, and these include:
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Although these materials are used across different industries, they share similar recycling processes, including washing, shredding, and filtering.
At PLASTIMEX you’ll find bottles made with virgin PET resin, ensuring safety for your health. Additionally, our containers are recyclable, allowing them to be turned into new products, supporting an eco-friendly relationship with the environment.
