PET Plastic Recycling for Businesses
National Recycling provides PET plastic recycling for businesses across the UK. We collect PET bottles, trays, clear food packaging, film and production waste from manufacturers, food businesses and retailers.
PET plastic collections
What PET We Collect
PET (polyethylene terephthalate) carries resin code 1. It is the clear, lightweight plastic used for most drinks bottles and a lot of food packaging.
Handled with care.
Bottles.
Water, soft drink and other PET bottles in bulk, clear or coloured.Trays and containers.
Food trays, punnets, clamshells and tubs.Packaging and film.
PET packaging, sheet and film from packing lines.Production waste.
Preforms, rejects, offcuts and line waste from bottling and packaging manufacturers.
From your site to a fresh start
How PET Recycling Works
- 01
Tell us what you have.
Use the quote form to give the type of PET, rough quantity, how it is stored and your collection postcode. A photo helps. - 02
Get your quote.
Our team replies with a quote providing clear pricing details. - 03
We collect.
A verified waste carrier from our haulage network collects on an agreed date. Bottles and packaging are best baled, and we can supply balers. - 04
Recycling.
At a licensed recycling facility, PET is sorted by colour and quality, washed to remove food, glue and labels, then shredded into flake. The flake can be purified further and made into new bottles, polyester fibre, strapping and sheet. - 05
Paperwork.
You receive a waste transfer note for each collection.
Let’s get it sorted
Get a PET Recycling Quote
Tell us what PET you have and how much, and our team will reply with a quote. Call 0845 366 9306 or request a quote online.
Professional services
Why PET Plastic Recycling Matters
PET is one of the most valuable plastics to recycle, because clean, clear PET can be made back into food-grade bottles and packaging. Sending it to general waste loses that material and adds to landfill or incineration.
Under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, your business must store waste safely, use authorised carriers and keep waste transfer notes for at least 2 years. In England, Simpler Recycling has required workplaces with 10 or more employees to separate dry recyclables, including plastic, since 31 March 2025. Micro-firms follow from 31 March 2027. Wales has had workplace recycling rules since 6 April 2024.
A partner you can depend on
Why Choose National Recycling for PET Recycling
UK-wide collections.
Our haulage partners collect from factories, warehouses, venues and stores across the country.Recycling first.
We recycle PET wherever possible and safe, and arrange compliant disposal only for what cannot be recycled.Fully compliant.
Verified waste carriers and licensed recycling facilities, in line with UK regulations.Mixed loads.
Collect PET with your baled cardboard, other plastics or paper in one visit.Fast quotes.
Our team replies quickly to every enquiry, providing a fast turnaround for collections.One-off or regular.
Book a single clearance or a scheduled collection, with one supplier for every location.
Find the right service
Related Services
Is PET plastic recyclable?
Yes. PET is one of the most widely recycled plastics in the UK. Clean bottles, trays and packaging can be washed, flaked and made into new bottles, food packaging, polyester fibre and strapping. Keeping PET separate from other plastics and general waste gives it the best chance of being recycled.
What number is PET plastic?
PET is resin identification code 1. Look for a 1 inside the recycling triangle, often with PET or PETE underneath. It appears on most drinks bottles and on many clear food trays, punnets and containers. Because several clear plastics look alike, the code is the quickest way to confirm an item is PET before you sort it.
How is PET recycled?
PET is sorted by colour and quality, then washed to remove food residue, adhesive and labels. It is shredded into flake, which can be purified further for food-grade use. Manufacturers then turn the flake into new bottles, packaging, polyester fibre for clothing and carpets, strapping and sheet.
Can PET food trays be recycled?
Yes, PET trays can be recycled, although they are harder to process than bottles because they are thinner and often have film lids or labels attached. Empty them, remove lidding film where you can and keep them separate from bottles. Tell us about any food residue when you ask for a quote.
Is clear plastic always PET?
No. Many clear plastics look similar, including PET, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylic and polycarbonate. Check the resin code on the item: PET is code 1. If items are unmarked, send us a photo and we can help identify the material before collection.
Can you collect PET bottles in bulk?
Yes. We collect bulk PET bottles from bottling plants, drinks distributors, venues, events and warehouses across the UK. Bottles are best emptied, kept free of other waste and baled, which makes transport and recycling more efficient. If you do not have a baler, we can supply one.