Counting on …day 188 

20th May 2022

What happens to the 44% of plastic that is recycled? 

Some, in closed loop recycling, will be remade into replacement item – eg a PET plastic bottle can be recycled into a new PET plastic bottle. They are known as ePET bottles. Some bottles sold by Coca Cola, Evian, Buxton and Volvic are made from ePET but not all. 

Manufacturers also produce more durable PET bottles that, like glass milk bottles, can refilled and these bottles can be reused up to 25 times before they will need to be recycled – ideally recycled to create yet another reusable bottle! In countries where these bottles are used, a deposit scheme encourages consumers to return them. 

We should contact companies who supply drinks in plastic bottles asking if they use ePET and if not, why not.

Author: Judith Russenberger

Environmentalist and theologian, with husband and three grown up children plus one cat, living in London SW14. I enjoy running and drinking coffee - ideally with a friend or a book. View all posts by Judith Russenberger