America’s beverage companies’ plastic bottles are unique. What makes them unique is what they’re made out of. They’re made out of polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, a light and strong plastic material that is high in demand, and more significantly, is 100% recyclable.

The National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) found the environmental impacts of producing recycled PET are significantly less than producing virgin PET. In fact, each unit of recycled PET that replaces virgin PET results in a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a 75% lower total energy demand.

The environmental benefits of using recycled PET is one of many reasons why America’s beverage companies are working to get their bottles back. When we get our plastic bottles back, they can be remade into new bottles or other consumer goods such as carpet, clothing and playground equipment. And, when we get our bottles back that means less new plastic in the environment.

To learn more about what America’s beverage companies are doing, visit www.EveryBottleBack.org.