The future of polyethylene terephthalate bottles: Challenges and sustainability

Abstract Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most widely used polymer for manufacturing plastic bottles appropriate for water and soft beverages usage. The advantages of PET, regarding its mechanical and barrier and permeation properties, convenience, safety as food contact material, and recyclability, are well documented during the past decades. However, the recent trends towards the adoption of circular economy and the EU Directives regarding the reduction of the impact of plastic products on the environment has raised significant concerns about the sustainability and future of PET plastics. The objective of the article is to demonstrate the advantages and drawbacks of PET for applications in the bottled water and soft beverages sectors and discuss the future of PET bottles, considering the current trends and sustainability issues.