60 billion PET bottles recycled in Europe in 2012: trade group

Europe recycled the equivalent of more than 60 billion PET bottles in 2012, according to trade industry association Petcore Europe.

“Despite the poor economic situation in the European region, the consumption of PET bottles is still showing clear trends of penetration into new market segments through innovative packaging and the recognised capability of PET to be recycled,” Petcore Europe chairman Roberto Bertaggia said in a statement.

Petcore estimated that the overall collection rate in 2012 was more than 52% of all post-consumer PET bottles available in the region.

“With the exception of two members, all 27 EU member states managed to achieve PET recycling rates above the target of 22.5% for plastics,” Bertaggia said.

PET is the largest plastic material recycled in Europe, he added.