Recycling international reports that south african recycler extrupet will be introducing a phoenixpet brand later this year in order to promote the use of recycled pet resin in food packaging. According to the pet resin association, pet, or polyethylene terephthalate, is a clear, strong and lightweight plastic belonging to the polyester family. It is typically called &ldquopolyester&rdquo when used for fibres or fabrics, and &ldquopet&rdquo or &ldquopet resin&rdquo when used for bottles, jars, containers and packaging applications. Phoenixpet has proven to be in full compliance with the us food and drug administration&rsquos stringent food safety standards and is already used by top domestic retailers such as woolworths.
Extrupet&rsquos coo chandru wadhwani told recycling international that the rise of &ldquogreen consumer consciousness&rdquo and the need for local consumer brands and their retailers to attain improved sustainability credentials were the main reasons for creating phoenixpet. &ldquopackaging is increasingly being recognised as a vital concern in any brand&rsquos value chain. This is partly due to pressure from environmental nongovernmental organisations,&rdquo he said, adding that extrupet hopes to dispel &ldquomarket myths&rdquo surrounding recycled food packaging.