Contact Sales on +44 (0)1472 240940
Berlin Packaging expands its presence in EMEA with the acquisition of BlueSky.
Contact Sales on +44 (0)1472 240940
Berlin Packaging expands its presence in EMEA with the acquisition of BlueSky.
But PET is also important for another reason: it has one of the most established recycling streams among plastic packaging materials.
For brands reviewing packaging through the lens of recyclability, recycled content, UK Plastic Packaging Tax, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), PET remains a highly relevant material. It is not the right choice for every product, but when it is correctly specified, collected and recycled, PET can support a practical circular packaging strategy.
This guide explains what recycled PET is, why PET is widely recycled, how PCR PET supports packaging goals, and what brands should consider when choosing PET bottles and jars.
PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate.
It is a type of plastic commonly used for bottles, jars and containers because it offers a useful balance of clarity, strength, light weight and product protection.
PET is widely used for:
One of PET’s biggest advantages is that it can offer a clear, glass-like appearance while being much lighter and more impact-resistant than glass. This makes it useful for brands that want visible, shelf-ready packaging without the weight and breakage risk of glass.
Yes, PET is recyclable.
PET is one of the most established recyclable plastics because it is widely used, widely collected in many markets and has strong demand as a recycled material.
However, recyclability depends on more than the material alone. A PET bottle or jar may be recyclable in principle, but the final pack can be affected by colour, labels, adhesives, closures, pumps, liners, product residue and local collection systems.
That means brands should think about PET packaging as a complete system, not just a material choice.
A clear PET bottle with a compatible cap and label is usually a stronger recycling proposition than a complex pack with dark colours, full-body sleeves, mixed materials or difficult-to-remove components.
Recycled PET is PET material that has been recovered, processed and turned back into usable material.
You may also see it referred to as:
In packaging, the most relevant term is often PCR PET, which stands for post-consumer recycled PET. This means the material has already been used by consumers, collected through recycling systems and processed into material that can be used again.
For brands, PCR PET can help reduce reliance on virgin plastic while retaining many of PET’s practical advantages, including clarity, durability and light weight.
PET is widely recycled because it has several advantages within the recycling system.
First, it is used in high volumes, especially in bottle formats. High-volume material streams are easier to collect, sort and recycle at scale.
Second, PET is relatively easy to identify and sort compared with some more complex or mixed-material packaging formats.
Third, there is strong demand for recycled PET. rPET can be used in new packaging and other applications, which helps create value in the recycling stream.
PET bottles are generally better established in recycling systems than some other PET formats, such as trays or complex packaging components.
When people talk about PET recycling, they are often talking specifically about PET bottles.
PET bottles have benefited from established collection systems, deposit return schemes in some countries and strong demand for recycled PET.
This is why PET bottles are often used as an example of circular packaging potential.
For packaging buyers, the important lesson is not simply “PET is recyclable”. It is that simple, well-designed PET packaging is more likely to work within existing recycling systems.
That means the design choices around colour, label, cap, closure and decoration all matter.
Recycled PET supports the circular economy by keeping material in use for longer.
Instead of relying only on virgin plastic, brands can use PCR PET to incorporate material that has already been recovered and processed. This helps support demand for recycling and can reduce the need for new plastic.
For brands, PCR PET can support:
The key is to make claims carefully. PCR PET does not automatically make a pack sustainable, but it can be part of a better packaging strategy when the full pack is designed well.
Recycled content is becoming more commercially important.
In the UK, Plastic Packaging Tax applies to plastic packaging components containing less than 30% recycled plastic. Plastic packaging components containing 30% or more recycled plastic are not chargeable, although businesses still need appropriate evidence and records.
This is one reason PCR PET has become more relevant to packaging buyers.
For brands using PET bottles or jars, PCR content may help support both sustainability goals and tax planning, depending on the product, format and availability.
EU packaging regulation is also increasing the focus on recyclability and recycled content.
Under the Single-Use Plastics Directive, plastic bottles have a 77% separate collection target by 2025 and 90% by 2029. PET beverage bottles also need to contain 25% recycled plastic from 2025, with all plastic beverage bottles required to contain 30% recycled plastic from 2030.
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation also aims to make all packaging on the EU market recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030 and to increase the safe use of recycled plastics in packaging.
For brands, this means PET packaging decisions should be made with future requirements in mind, not just today’s product launch.
One of the biggest mistakes brands can make is assuming that a recyclable material automatically creates a recyclable pack.
PET is recyclable, but the full pack design can either support or weaken the recycling outcome.
Brands should consider:
Clear PET is often preferred because it has broader reuse potential than heavily coloured PET. Large full-body sleeves, dark colours or incompatible labels can make sorting and recycling more difficult.
For BlueSky customers, this is where packaging advice becomes important. The right PET bottle or jar should be selected alongside the right cap, pump, label and decoration approach.
PET is not the only plastic used in packaging. The right choice depends on the product, formulation and end-use.
| Material | Key strengths | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| PET | Clear, lightweight, recyclable, glass-like appearance | Personal care, drinks, healthcare, food, beauty, jars and bottles |
| HDPE | Durable, opaque, strong chemical resistance | Cleaning, chemical, healthcare and pharmaceutical-style packaging |
| PP | Versatile, good for closures, jars and some dispensing systems | Caps, jars, pots, closures, pumps and mono-material formats |
| PCR PET | Recycled-content version of PET | Brands wanting recycled content while retaining PET’s familiar benefits |
PET is especially useful where clarity and shelf appeal matter. HDPE may be better for stronger or more aggressive formulations. PP may be preferred for some caps, jars and dispensing components.
PET and glass can both work well in packaging, but they serve different needs.
| Consideration | PET | Glass |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Lightweight | Heavier |
| Breakage risk | Impact-resistant | Breakable |
| Product visibility | Clear and glass-like | Excellent clarity |
| Transport | Lower weight and easier handling | Heavier and more fragile |
| Bathroom use | Practical where breakage matters | Premium but breakable |
| Recycling story | Strong PET bottle recycling infrastructure | Strong material recyclability |
| PCR option | PCR PET may be available | Recycled glass content varies by format and supplier |
Glass may be the right choice for luxury positioning or where weight is part of the premium experience. PET may be stronger where light weight, safety, ecommerce handling and impact resistance are important.
PET is widely used across BlueSky’s core markets.
Personal care and beauty
PET bottles and jars can work well for shampoos, shower gels, lotions, scrubs, bath products, creams and gels where clarity and shelf appeal matter.
Healthcare and pharmaceutical-style packaging
PET can be suitable for selected healthcare, vitamin and supplement applications where a clear, lightweight and durable container is required.
Food and beverage
PET is widely used for food and beverage packaging because it is practical, lightweight and supported by established recycling infrastructure.
Home care
PET can be suitable for milder home care products where clarity and presentation matter. For stronger formulations, HDPE may be more suitable.
Cosmetics and wellness
PET jars and bottles can support creams, powders, bath salts, wellness products and cosmetic formats where the colour or texture of the product helps sell the experience.
PET has many advantages, but it is not suitable for every product.
Brands should be cautious with:
In these cases, another material, a specific grade, an alternative colour, a barrier solution or compatibility testing may be required.
Packaging should always be tested with the actual formulation before launch.
Brands can make PET packaging more recycling-friendly by designing the full pack carefully.
Consider:
The best approach is to design the pack as a system: bottle or jar, closure, label, decoration and disposal route all working together.
BlueSky supplies PET bottles, PET jars and PCR content packaging options for brands across personal care, beauty, healthcare, food, beverage and home care.
The team can support with:
For brands reviewing packaging through the lens of recyclability, recycled content, EPR or PPWR, the key is not simply choosing a material that sounds sustainable. It is choosing a complete pack that performs technically, commercially and at end of life.
PET remains one of the most commercially important packaging materials because it combines clarity, strength, light weight and established recycling infrastructure.
For brands that need recyclable packaging, recycled content options and practical formats across bottles and jars, PET and PCR PET deserve serious consideration.
Speak to the BlueSky team:
Our expert team is ready to assist you with your packaging needs.
Horizon House
Estate Road Five
Grimsby
DN31 2TG
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