Polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PET, PETE, or simply PET, is an extremely versatile thermoplastic polymer, the most extensively used thermosetting polymer within the rubber and plastics industry. It has many uses within a wide range of industries, including cosmetics, food service and pharmaceuticals. Due to the extreme strength of PET, it has many potential applications in energy saving devices. PET is also frequently used in dentistry to create impressions of teeth for those patients who have lost their teeth.
As one of the leading producers: of this specialised packaging material, PET bottles are often used in beverage and cosmetic manufacturing plants, particularly in the manufacture of soft drinks. PET is also an essential ingredient of many pharmaceutical products, particularly over the counter medicines containing anti-bacterial properties, antibiotics and pain relievers. PET bottles are also widely used to contain nutritional supplements and dry dog food. The high water resistance of PET means that the substance can be used as a food packaging additive, particularly for fruit juices. PET is also commonly used as a food preservative in many snack foods and in some forms of soft drinks.
As PET is a versatile compound made of various plasticizers: it has many possible uses. PET bottles are often used to package baby food and drink; however, the high cost and limited shelf life of these bottles mean that they are often replaced by glass or stainless steel alternatives. PET is also useful as a packaging material for pharmaceuticals. PET bottles may even be reused to store industrial chemicals, such as those used to manufacture polymers, plastics or electronic equipment. Recycling programs of PET bottles are now beginning to produce these waste products, which have now become accepted as part of a wider recycling program.
Plastic bottles are rarely thrown away: but PET containers can be recycled to make reusable containers for all sorts of commercial and personal uses. PET containers, including PET bottles, are generally affordable and last for years. They are not hard to find and are suitable for all kinds of packaging needs. PET has now almost completely replaced paper as a packaging material, due to the superior quality and longer shelf life of the product.
PET bottles are produced in a wide range of shapes and sizes: depending on what is needed. They can be easily customized to meet the special needs of different industries. PET is an extremely biodegradable product, so it makes sense to reuse PET bottles after their use. However, some industries require their PET bottles to be broken down and made into new containers for repeated use. In such cases, it is not feasible to simply recycle PET bottles, but to recycle the entire bottle, ensuring that every gram of PET bottle is used to make another.
Recycling programs: that involve the reuse of PET bottles have been in place for many years, but the recent rise in popularity has been fueled by increasing concerns about the environmental impacts of the manufacture, storage, and consumption of PET. To address these issues, the US FDA and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have taken aggressive steps to control the amount of plastic waste that is manufactured, stored and consumed. Efforts include; banning the production of new PET bottles altogether, restricting the shipment of PET to the domestic level and encouraging the production of more durable, cost-effective alternative containers, like polyolefin. However, the FDA and other federal health safety agencies are also concerned that PET bottles may pose a significant health risk because they contain certain chemicals.
That have the potential to migrate into the environment and cause harm to wildlife.
