PET is Safe

1
PET is Safe

• Urban myths about harmful substances leaching
  from PET bottles from freezing or heating,
  leaving them in cars, etc. persist with no
  scientific merit
• PET does not contain Bis-Phenol A.
  (Polycarbonate does)
• PET does not use the plasticizer thalates that
  have been the subject of negative press
• Antimony is used in PET manufacturing as a
  catalyst (as an oxide, which has very low
  toxicity). Very low occurrence of oxide of
  antimony means very, very low risk
• PET is an inert plastic, bottles can be stored
  unopened, frozen, or refilled. (Open bottles can
  harbor bacteria, the same as mugs, reusable water
  bottles, or any other containers)
• See www.napcor.com and www.plasticsinfo.org for
  more info and sources

2
Bottled Water

• Plastic water bottles account for 0.02 of
  Americas oil consumption and 1/3 of 1 of the
  solid waste stream
• US residents drink an average of 27.6 gallons of
  bottled water annually (they drink nearly 2X as
  much Carbonated Soft Drinks)
• 75 of bottled water consumers also drink from
  their municipal water system
• Bottled water does not contain calories,
  caffeine, sugar, artificial flavors or colors, or
  other ingredients
• Efforts should be focused on improving all forms
  of recycling rates, improving transportation
  efficiency, and reducing waste from all consumer
  goods, including bottled water
• See www.bottledwater.org and www.fijigreen.com

3
PLA and Bio-Plastic Facts

• Amcor Flexibles is a large user of bio-plastics,
  mostly in Europe for flexible packaging
  applications
• PLA has poor barrier and strength properties
  compared to PET for most bottle applications
• Biodegradable plastics do not decompose unless
  they are commercially composted. They do not
  decompose in a landfill, or on the roadside
• Corn-based bioplastics require huge amounts of
  water, fuel, and fertilizer to grow the GMO
  (genetically modified) corn. The environmental
  benefit, if any, is very questionable and can
  lead to grain shortages.
• Any responsible market introduction of a PLA
  bottle must take into account the serious
  impacting issues related to contamination of the
  PET and HDPE recycling streams

4
Glass Bottle Facts

• Glass bottles require more energy to produce and
  generate more solid waste than a comparable PET
  bottle in most studies
• The heavier weight of glass requires more energy
  in all life cycle stages, including collection
  and recycling
• Glass bottles can shatter if dropped impose a
  higher risk for content loss, food safety, and
  the user
• Glass requires more energy to recycle.
  Co-mingled glass (clear mixed with colored)
  lowers the value of the material and makes it
  more difficult to recycle
• Glass is not biodegradable