NAPCOR LCA identifies PET bottles as most environmentally sustainable beverage containers

08 Mar 2023 --- The National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) has found PET plastic bottles to be more environmentally sustainable than glass and aluminum beverage containers. Plastic packaging made from PET is used in over 70% of beverage containers because it’s lightweight, clear and 100% recyclable.

In a recent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), the association identified that PET plastic bottles create less solid waste, use less water during production and generate fewer emissions that contribute to acid rain and smog compared to glass and aluminum beverage containers.  

“Studies like the NAPCOR LCA continue to showcase the environmental advantages of PET and recycled PET. It’s imperative that stakeholders across the value chain – and that includes governmental entities – do their part to embrace a circular economy,” Laura Stewart, executive director at NAPCOR tells PackagingInsights.

“The LCA scientifically and credibly demonstrates how plastic packaging provides significant environmental benefits that will help the world meet its vital net zero carbon targets.”

“The LCA’s results should be empowering for businesses and consumers because we can confirm once again that choosing PET plastic beverage containers is the best option for the planet,” adds Stewart.

PET’s environmental benefits 
Franklin Associates, a LCA consulting firm, completed the study and went through an extensive peer review and verification process. Findings show that PET is the best beverage packaging for the environment.

The association has found that if US consumers selected PET plastic bottles instead of glass bottles for their soda beverages over one year, it would be the same as the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions avoided by recycling instead of landfilling nearly 53,000 garbage trucks of waste and the carbon sequestered by adding almost 1.3 million acres (520,000 hectares) of US forest.

Glass has the highest environmental impacts, followed by aluminum and PET bottles, according to the LCA.Similarly, if US residents choose PET plastic bottles instead of aluminum cans for their soda beverages for one year, the resulting impacts would be the same as conserving 4.4 billion liters of water; removing 688,000 gas-powered cars off the road annually; or diverting 138 million bags filled with trash for recycling versus landfills.

Consumers support plastic
The LCA compared the most commonly used beverage containers for carbonated soft drinks and still water and found that a 16.9-ounce (479 g) PET plastic water bottle compared to a standard-size 12-ounce (340 g) aluminum creates 80% less solid waste, uses 53% less water during production, has a 74% lower global warming potential and generates 68-83% fewer emissions that contribute to the formation of acid rain and smog.

Innova Market Insights has pegged “Plastics circularization” as this year’s top packaging trend. The market researcher has found that although plastic reduction initiatives are gathering pace and renewable alternatives are on the rise, plastic’s inherent qualities as a lightweight, versatile and hygienic material means that production and consumption continue to increase.

The global market researcher found that 61% of global consumers believe the increased use of plastic packaging is necessary – although perhaps undesirable – since the COVID-19 pandemic for safety reasons.

Despite the plastic pollution crisis and poor recycling rates, 72% of global consumers still believe plastic has average or above recyclability relative to other materials. Moreover, half (52%) say they would pay more for a product if it came in recyclable packaging.

Improving waste management 
The cradle-to-grave LCA looked at commonly used PET plastic, glass and aluminum beverage containers for carbonated soft drinks and still water. It found that glass tends to have the highest environmental impacts, followed by aluminum and then PET bottles. 

Therefore, PET plastic bottles are a more environmentally sustainable beverage container option. They have a lower impact on several key environmental metrics, including GHG emissions, energy demand, water consumption, smog, acid rain and eutrophication potential.

“We are sensitive to the additional issue of waste management that comes with any discussion of packaging,” says Stewart. “By conducting the LCA, we hope to better inform consumers, brands and legislators about their packaging options and the impact on the environment. 

“At NAPCOR, we work closely with our partners, customers and community members to increase plastic recycling rates. The full benefits of choosing PET come about when we recycle it,” she concludes.

By Natalie Schwertheim