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%.
Quick answer
PET (#1) bottles had a 30.2% US recycling rate in 2024 (NAPCOR). Where your local program accepts them, empty and rinse, replace the plastic cap (APR: empty and replace), and keep the bottle's 3D shape rather than flattening it. Deposit programs may offer a refund for qualifying bottles. Before you go, confirm that a local recycling center accepts the material in its current condition.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
- 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)
- 4Do not flatten the bottle; keep 3D shape so optical/3D sortation can capture it
- 5Leave labels on if they do not peel easily; most facilities remove them in process
- 6Keep bottles dry to limit mold in storage and transport
- 7In deposit states, redeem qualifying bottles for 5-10¢ instead of (or before) curbside
Where to Recycle
- Curbside recycling
- Recycling centers
- Reverse vending / deposit redemption
- Grocery store collection areas
Special Instructions
APR's primary message is EMPTY AND REPLACE CAP. Caps are usually HDPE or PP and float-separate from PET flake. Flattening bottles can send them into the paper stream. Metal caps are a problem: remove steel or aluminum closures. APR model bale specs do not downgrade for plastic caps left on.
Environmental Impact
PET supports bottle-to-bottle recycling and also becomes fiber for clothing, carpet, and fleece. NAPCOR 2024: 30.2% US bottle recycling rate, 39.2% North America collection, 15.9% average rPET content in US PET bottles. EPA's older official series listed PET bottles/jars at 29.1% in 2018.
Sustainable Alternatives
- Reusable water bottles
- Glass bottles
- Aluminum cans
- Water filtration systems
- Refillable containers
Official guidance and resources
Accepted items and drop-off rules can vary by location. Check the destination before you go.
What’s Accepted
Accepted
- Water bottles (clear PET)
- Soda bottles
- Sports drink bottles
- Juice bottles (clear PET)
- Salad dressing bottles (clear PET)
- Peanut butter jars (clear PET, rinsed)
Not Accepted
- Bottles with liquid still inside
- Bottles that held motor oil or chemicals
- Black PET containers (optical sorters often miss them)
- Bottles with heavy food residue
- Metal caps left on (remove steel/aluminum closures)
FAQs
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.
Related recycling guides
- How to recycle Plastic Clamshell Containers
- How to recycle Pharmaceutical Bottles
- How to recycle HDPE Containers (#2)
- How to recycle Bulky Rigid Plastic
- How to recycle PVC Pipes (#3)
- How to recycle Compostable Plastics
- How to recycle Plastic Bags (#4)
- How to recycle Black Plastic Containers
- How to recycle Polypropylene Containers (#5)
- How to recycle Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)
Recycle pet bottles (#1)
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