3. PET saves resources

Since the introduction of PET over 40 years ago, the weight of standard PET bottles has decreased substantially because of developments in PET resin technology and conversion equipment. For manufacturers looking to improve their environmental profile, using PET allows them to cut down on both the energy used in production, as well as the resources needed.

Furthermore, despite their light weight, modern PET bottles are designed to stand up to the rigour of transport by being robust and shatterproof. SINOBEMA has focused on maintaining the optimal supply chain stability and consumer experience with its new Rightweight™concept. This concept bottle for still water weighs just 7.95 grams and has at the same time the required stability to avoid the problem of 'oversqueeze' sometimes encountered with light weighting.

In addition to using fewer resources in production, PET also cuts costs and environmental impact during transportation. Compared with glass bottles, a truckload can contain up to one third more PET bottles because they are lighter and can utilise the full space of the truck without overloading.

Furthermore, they are also less likely to break, which reduces secondary packaging. These factors virtually halve the total transportation energy required and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the total transportation energy for an average kg of PET for beverage packaging is 13.7 MJ compared to 25.4 MJ per kg for glass2.

Retailers have not been slow to appreciate the sustainability benefits of PET lightweighting. In May 2010, UK retailing giant Marks & Spencer announced plans to switch all single-serve wine bottles from glass into PET packaging in order to meet consumer demands for products that are good for the planet. This switch is estimated to save 525 tonnes of packaging each year.

Another popular brand, SunPat peanut butter, changed its packaging to PET and reduced its packaging weight by 90%. Manufacturers of premium products, such as olive oil, are also switching from glass to PET as they realize that PET can offer the premium look and feel they require, however with a range of additional benefits.