Plastics…Get the Facts Here.

Determining fact from fiction on the Internet can be harder than you think. And since many of these might sound scientific or seem like good common sense, it’s only natural to be concerned. If you’ve heard a rumor about plastics and want to know more, you’ve got to check out

www.plasticsmythbuster.org.

Mythbuster Tip:

The story or information is difficult to verify. More often than not, e-mail hoaxes sound factual. The idea is to get you to buy into the story without researching the facts. Tales of a conspiracy or cover-up and vague references (e.g., my friend’s sister-in-law) are just some of the tactics hoaxters use to discourage you from doing a quick key word search.

Learn more ways to spot a hoax at www.plasticsmythbuster.org.

Fun Facts About PET

  • 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.

 

Used from NAPOR website.

 

What is PET plastic?

NAPCOR Reassures on PET Safety with Answers to Common Concerns

Sonoma, CA, September 25, 2007 – PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles have garnered a great deal of media attention recently, some of it raising questions about PET safety. According to the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR), the trade group for PET packaging, it’s time to clear up any fallacies and set the record straight: Consumers can continue to rely on the safety of PET bottles.

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