ECOS | Environmental Coalition on Standards

31 October 2023

Report – 100% Greenwash? Green Claims on PET Beverage Bottles in Europe

In this report, we explore the current state of PET-based bottle recycling in Europe, as well as its potential for improvement, alongside analysis of common claims made to consumers on bottle labels relating to recycling. Published by ClientEarth, ECOS and Zero Waste Europe and prepared by Eunomia Research & Consulting.

While it is clear that rates of plastic recycling for PET bottle bodies are improving in Europe and are likely to further improve in future years, it is also clear that a fully circular system for PET-based bottles does not exist at present and is not feasible. The idea of used bottles simply becoming new bottles over and over again may be appealing to companies and consumers alike, but it does not reflect the outcomes for PET-based bottles in Europe.

100% Greenwash? Green Claims on PET Beverage Bottles in Europe

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ECOS is co-funded by the European Commission and EFTA Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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