Sustainability Center
Environmental impact analysis and recycling data
PP Recycling Rate
3%
vs 15% for PET
Biodegradation
500 years
in landfills
PP Material Cost
$1,007
per ton
Recommendation
Paperboard
for developing countries
Recycling Rate Comparison
Polypropylene (PP) vs Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
Why is PP Recycling Rate Low?
- • Contamination: PP bottles often contain residual pharmaceutical products that are difficult to remove
- • Sorting challenges: Polypropylene is sensitive to high heat and undergoes significant structural changes due to degradation and contamination during heating, making it unusable for most applications after continued recycling
- • Economic factors: Lower market value compared to PET makes recycling less profitable
- • Infrastructure: Fewer recycling facilities equipped to process PP effectively
Recycling Process for PP
1. Shredding
Bottles are mechanically shredded into small flakes
2. Sorting & Washing
Flakes are sorted by density and washed to remove contaminants
3. Compounding
Clean flakes are melted and reformed into pellets for reuse (automotive parts, food and non-food packaging, and textiles)