Should I leave the cap on PET bottles?

Yes for plastic caps. APR's message is empty and replace the cap. Caps (HDPE/PP) float-separate from PET flake. Caps smaller than about 3 inches fall through screens if loose, so leaving them on the bottle is how they get recycled.

Should I crush or flatten PET bottles?

No. APR cites MRF material-flow work showing flattened bottles can miss plastic sortation and end up in the paper stream. Keep the 3D shape.

What is the current US PET bottle recycling rate?

30.2% in 2024 per NAPCOR's PET Recycling Report (released December 2025), down from 32.5% in 2023 but above the prior decade average of 29.5%. North America collection was 39.2%.

Do labels need to come off?

Only if they peel off easily. Most reclaimers remove labels during wash. Do not shred the bottle trying to force a stubborn label.

What happens after PET bottles are recycled?

Bottles are sorted, ground to flake, washed, and remelted. End uses include new bottles (bottle-to-bottle), thermoforms, and polyester fiber. NAPCOR reports average rPET content in US PET bottles at 15.9% in 2024.

Are deposit bottles handled differently?

In the roughly 10 US deposit states (plus newer expansions), qualifying beverage containers typically redeem for 5-10¢. Redemption often yields cleaner material than single-stream curbside.

Plastic recycling

How to Recycle PET Bottles (#1)

Clear polyethylene terephthalate bottles for water, soda, and other beverages. NAPCOR's 2024 report puts the US PET bottle recycling rate at 30.2% (down from 32.5% in 2023), with North America collection at 39.2% and average rPET content in US PET bottles at 15.9%.

Recyclable#1 PETUpdated Jul 2026

Quick answer

PET (#1) bottles are among the most recyclable plastics in the US, at a 30.2% recycling rate in 2024 (NAPCOR). Empty and rinse, leave the plastic cap on (APR: empty and replace), keep the bottle's 3D shape (do not flatten), and recycle curbside; in deposit states they are typically worth 5-10¢ at redemption.

Recyclable: Yes
Recycling code: #1 PET

How to Prepare

1Empty completely; leftover liquid contaminates bales
2Rinse quickly if sticky or sugary residue remains
3Replace the plastic cap on the empty bottle (APR caps-on guidance)

How to Recycle PET Bottles (#1)

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