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Setting Up Pet Bottles Recycling Business

Priyanka
October 24, 2024
4 min read

The term PET/Pet in plastic products such as bottles stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate which is also referred to as PETE. It is an omnipresent plastic which can be found in almost all everyday items. This variety of plastic is extensively used for packaging water, soft drinks, and juices due to its lightweight nature, which significantly reduces transport-related emissions. Unlike other conventional kinds of plastics it is safe and recyclable. It serves as a crucial material in a range of consumer and industrial products such as plastic fibres, videotapes, audiotapes, films, engineered resins, and food containers. Further, in this article we will learn everything about recycling PET plastic and how to set up a PET recycling plant/business in India.

Recycling & Its Benefits

The recycling process of PET involves conversion of used plastic into new and functional forms. By doing so we can significantly reduce waste and conserve resources. For instance: A discarded PET soft drink bottle can be converted into plastic furniture like chairs and tables.

However there is one major problem with recycling PET plastics which is that the recycled plastic cannot be recycled again. However, the initial recycling of PET offers significant environmental and economic advantages. Therefore the decision of investing in PET recycling is a compelling opportunity for entrepreneurs promoting sustainability and profitability.

Various benefits of PET recycling are as follows:

  • Reduces Waste in Landfills
  • Decreases Pollution
  • Conserves Natural Resources
  • Reduces Ocean Pollution
  • Cost Savings & Job Creation
  • Promotes Sustainable Practices
  • Community Engagement
  • Educational Opportunities & Health Benefits
  • Promotes Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Industry Trend & Viability 

Each and every type of recycling industry is on an upward trajectory especially the PET recycling industry. This rapid development is fueled by the growing environmental consciousness and sustainable practices. Government has also played a major role by supporting sustainable businesses and bringing the required policy and regulatory changes.

Major players in India’s recycling market are:

  • Allen Laboratories Ltd
  • FCL Technologies & Products Ltd
  • Filaments India Ltd & Futura Polymers Ltd
  • Jauss Polymers Ltd
  • L-Pack Polymers Ltd
  • Mold-Tek Packaging Ltd
  • Pearl Engineering Polymers Ltd & Pearl Polymers Ltd
  • Polycon International Ltd
  • Radico Khaitan Ltd
  • Sachi Molding Solutions Pvt. Ltd

In order to establish a PET bottle recycling facility one needs substantial initial investment. Various expenses for various activities are involved in setting up a recycling plant such as acquiring land, site development, buildings, machinery, vehicles, office automation equipment, technical knowledge fees, preliminary and pre-operative expenses, contingencies etc. Generally the recycling plants have an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 26.12% and a payback period of about 2 years and 4 months.

Steps Involved in Recycling Process

Recycling of PET bottles is a multi-step process, which is explained below:

  • Collection: In this step one needs to gather used PET bottles from various sources. An efficient collection system is required to collect industrial amounts of discarded PET bottles. 
  • Sorting: In the next step, collected PET products are sorted and divided into different categories as per their colour. If there are any non-PET parts then they are removed as well in this step.
  • Washing: After sorting the next step is to clean all the discarded bottles to eliminate any labels, adhesives, and residues etc.
  • Shredding: Now in this step all the PET bottles are cutted into small flakes to ensure they can be melted easily and efficiently in the next step.
  • Pelletizing: After shredding the PET flakes get ready to be melted and recycled into some new product.
  • Moulding: This is the last step in which the melted plastic is given the desired shape. After shaping the plastic into a desired product form the recycling process comes to an end.

Setting Up of Recycling Plant

Setting up a PET recycling plant or any other recycling plant is a simple straightforward process which does not involve numerous steps. The full process in brief is explained below:

  • Incorporation: The very first step for any business is to incorporate it and give it a legal identity. In India you can have incorporate your business in any of the following structure:
  • Documentation: Make sure to define your business clause properly in the MOA. Similarly the AOA should be drafted meticulously as well along with the remaining parts of the MOA. Agreements with third parties should also be done in a proper manner.
  • Registrations & Authorisation: All the applicable and required registrations should be done such as GST, PAN, Bank Account etc. Moreover recycling businesses also need certain authorisation from the concerned SPCB, CPCB or other government departments.
  • Setting Up of Plant: Now finally you can set up the plant by installing the required machineries and other facilities. Moreover you would also be required to establish an efficient collection system or rely on third party collectors.
  • Compliances: After setting up the plant the process doesn’t end. You need to ensure continuous compliance so that your business runs smoothly without any interference. Various compliances are required to be done by businesses such as return filing, labour law compliance, environmental compliance etc.

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