Have you ever looked at a water bottle or food container and wondered why they look so different or are they made from different types of plastic? PET and PETG are often used in plastics, but are they similar? Let us see this issue further!
What is PET Plastic?
PET plastic is a strong, clear, lightweight material that is commonly used to make bottles for water and drinks. The reason it is recyclable and great for packing liquids and foods is because it is a tough kind of plastic. Because it is hard and breakable, PET plastic is the perfect kind for bottles that have to keep their form. What is amazing about this type of material is that used bottles composed of PET can be reprocessed to form new bottles or containers many times.
What is PETG Plastic?
PETG plastic is also clear and hard plastic but with slight differences from PET. Taking additional ingredient glycol it is possible to make PETG from PET and thus it becomes flexible as well as resistant to impact more than just an ordinary one. For this reason, it is mainly used in the manufacture of food packaging containers and transparent plastic sheets. Though PETG can still be recycled in the same way, it has its way separate from PET bottles.
Difference in Properties
PET and PETG differ essentially in terms of their flexibility. This is because PET is rigid while PETG is capable of bending without breaking. Thus, it would be more appropriate to use PETG sheets for making sheets meant for food containers which need to have some degree of flexibility. Nevertheless, PETG does not hold up under pressure or stress as well as PET does in such continuous intervals of time.
Comparing Recycling Rates of PET and PETG
PET Plastic Recycling bottles has become quite efficient over the years with an estimated recycling rate of over 80% in many developed nations. On the other hand, recycling of PETG Plastic Recycling still has some room for improvement due to its lower collection rates and more complex recycling process.
The additional glycol component in PETG makes its recycling pathway different than PET bottles. Currently, PETG recycling rates are estimated at only around 30% compared to PET.
Conclusion
Although PET and PETG plastics may appear the same, their flexibility and melting points differ because PETG contains glycol. Nevertheless, the two are recyclable separately. To promote sustainability it is necessary to raise the levels of PETG recycling just as they do with PET. Opting for recyclable plastics is among the few efforts in which an individual can engage himself/herself to lessen plastic wastage. For more information, dial 1-888-400-5537 or email for details or inquiries about our offerings.
