Comparison of Domestic and Bilateral Recycling of Post-consumer PET Bottles

Abstract

Domestic and bilateral recycling of post-consumer PET bottles, both inside Japan and between Japan and China, were compared from the viewpoints of energy consumption and quality of recycled resin. Recycling scenarios for post-consumer PET bottles were established based on the current situation, being investigated through the conducting of hearings and field surveys both in Japan and China. Significant differences between domestic and bilateral recycling were identified through a format designed for characterizing various recycling scenarios. These differences were linked to legal, technical, and economic constraints on PET bottle recycling in Japan and China.