Dive Brief:

• The National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) created new grading specifications for baled post consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
• The new system was made to add incentives to suppliers to improve the quality of recycled PET; the grades are based according to the “PET fraction” of an incoming material load. NAPCOR also created a test audit for PET.
• Both the grading system and audit test were developed by PET reclaimers who used NAPCOR bale composition data in conjunction with material audits at facilities in North America. 

Dive Insight:

The purpose of the new system is to provide clear, industry-approved guidelines across the market for PET balers, and to offer increased standardization in PET markets. 

The grading system is based on the weight of PET containers in a sample, as a percentage of the weight of the total sample, called the “PET fraction.” Grades are set to A, B, C and F.  The grades and audit method cover all post consumer PET, including deposit, CRV or curbside collection.