• The PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) bottle was patented in 1973 by chemist Nathaniel Wyeth (brother of distinguished American painter Andrew Wyeth).
  • The first PET bottle was recycled in 1977.
  • An estimated 9,400 curbside collection programs and 10,000 drop-off programs collect PET plastic in the United States, currently.
  • Approximate number of PET beverage bottles per pound:
    16 oz. — 18 bottles per pound
    20 oz. — 16 bottles per pound
    1 liter — 12 bottles per pound
    2 liter — 9 bottles per pound
    3 liter — 5 bottles per pound
  • Cubic yards conserved in a landfill by recycling PET beverage bottles:
    4,800 recycled 16-ounce bottles saves a cubic yard
    4,050 recycled 20-ounce bottles saves a cubic yard
    3,240 recycled 1-liter bottles saves a cubic yard
    2,430 recycled 2-liter bottles saves a cubic yard
    1,350 recycled 3-liter bottles saves a cubic yard
  • Since 1978, manufacturers have reduced the weight of a two-liter bottle by about 29%, from 68 grams to 48 grams.
  • Recycling a ton of PET containers saves 7.4 cubic yards of landfill space.
  • According to the EPA, recycling a pound of PET saves approximately 12,000 BTU’s.
  • The average household generated 42 pounds of PET plastic bottles in the year 2005.
  • Custom bottles (which are bottles used for products other than carbonated soft drinks) represent 62% of all PET bottles available for recycling.
  • Fourteen 20 oz. PET bottles yield enough fiber for an extra large T-shirt.
  • It takes 14 20 oz. PET bottles to make one square foot of carpet.
  • It takes 63 20 oz. PET bottles to make a sweater.
  • Fourteen 20 oz. PET bottles yield enough fiberfill for a ski jacket.
  • It takes 85 20 oz. PET bottles to make enough fiberfill for a sleeping bag.

Fun facts courtesy of www.napcor.com