PET vs rPET: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters for Sustainability?

For the Lazies - A 30-Second Summary

PET and rPET may appear similar, but they have significantly different environmental impacts. PET is a virgin plastic made from crude oil, while rPET is recycled PET that helps reduce plastic waste and carbon emissions. Understanding this difference is crucial for businesses and consumers seeking to minimise their environmental impact. As SevenC’s Recycling prepares to process PET textiles in WA from 2026, the shift toward rPET represents a significant step forward in creating a more circular and sustainable economy.

What Is PET and Where Does It Come From?

PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate. It is a type of plastic commonly used in water bottles, packaging, and synthetic textiles, such as polyester. PET is produced from raw materials derived from oil and gas and is known for being strong, lightweight, and transparent.

While PET is fully recyclable, its production is resource-intensive. It requires high amounts of energy and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. When disposed of incorrectly, it becomes a significant pollutant in oceans, landfills, and waterways.

Image Source: Surfers Against Sewage

What Is rPET and How Is It Made?

rPET refers to recycled polyethylene terephthalate. It is created by collecting used PET products, such as plastic bottles and textiles, and processing them into new, usable materials. This process saves energy, reduces plastic waste, and helps extend the life of existing materials.

There are two primary methods of recycling PET. Mechanical recycling involves cleaning, shredding, and melting the plastic into new forms. Chemical recycling breaks down PET into its molecular components, allowing it to be rebuilt into new PET. Both methods reduce the need for virgin plastic.

Why rPET Matters for Sustainability

Switching from PET to rPET offers measurable environmental benefits. According to the Plastics Europe Eco-profiles, rPET production uses up to 50 per cent less energy and emits significantly fewer greenhouse gases compared to virgin PET.

Using rPET also reduces plastic waste in landfills. As WA continues to face rising levels of plastic pollution, shifting to rPET supports broader sustainability goals and aligns with the state’s Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030.

The Role of Polyester and the Link to rPET

Polyester, a textile made from PET, is one of the most used fabrics in the world. Its popularity is due to its durability, low cost, and versatility. However, polyester garments contribute heavily to textile waste.

By recycling polyester into rPET, new garments can be produced without relying on virgin materials. This creates a circular model that supports sustainability while meeting the growing demand for affordable synthetic fabrics. SevenC’s Recycling will contribute to this process by helping recover PET-based textiles in WA starting in 2026.

What Are the Challenges of rPET?

While rPET is a more sustainable option, it is not without challenges. The recycling process requires clean, sorted PET waste. Contamination from food, labels, or non-PET plastics can disrupt processing.

Additionally, the quality of rPET may degrade slightly with each recycling cycle. This makes it less suitable for specific uses over time; however, blending it with virgin PET can improve its strength and durability.

How WA Can Embrace the rPET Shift

WA has the opportunity to lead in sustainable plastic management by supporting rPET infrastructure. Councils can invest in better collection systems for PET and polyester. Businesses can adopt rPET packaging and clothing. Consumers can choose products labelled as made from recycled PET.

With SevenC’s Recycling launching in 2026, the capacity to process and reuse PET locally will improve. This will reduce dependence on overseas recycling plants and help keep value within the state’s economy.

Why It Matters for You

Whether you are a shopper, a fashion brand, or a manufacturer, your choices influence WA’s environmental future. Supporting rPET over virgin PET helps reduce waste, carbon emissions, and oil extraction.

The difference between PET and rPET is not just technical. It is a choice between old systems and new possibilities. Choosing rPET supports circular design and long-term environmental responsibility.