Overall US soft drink container recycling rate fell in 1998 (most recent data), driven down by -3.8 percentage point fall in aluminum can recycling rate and -0.4 decline in PET bottles. However, number of PET bottles recycled actually grows; rate falls because usage increase exceeds recycling gains. Data from National Soft Drink Association (NSDA). Overall rate of 55.6% is lowest point since 1991, down -5 percentage points from record high set in 1994 (table).

Packaging shares. Overall, 94 bil packages used for soft drinks in 1998. Cans account for 73.9% of individual packages; PET bottles 25.2%; glass bottles 0.9%. Note: data based on census of individual packages, not package size or volume.

Cans. NSDA says 69.5 bil cans used for soft drinks in 1998, 43.6 bil recycled. Compared to 1997, 3.4 bil more cans used and 0.4 bil fewer recycled. Industry group Aluminum Association has stated goal of 75% recycling rate. Can Manufacturers Institute attributes declining recycling rate on low scrap prices, low unemployment leading to less for-profit can recycling and decline in can drives as fundraising activities.

PET. Recycling rate down -9.5 points vs high-point year 1994. NSDA says record 8.4 bil PET bottles recycled in 1998, while record 23.7 bil bottles used. Usage increases +11.3%, from 21.3 bil bottles in 1997; number of units recycled increases +10.5% from 7.6 bil bottles. News. Beverage industry recycling expert says "industry and recycling groups are working on a PET retrieval test program aimed particularly at immediate consumption packaging" where recycling rates have been low. Says test takes place in "several" locations next year with goal "to get the PET recycling rate up." Glass. Usage of 800 mil bottles down -20% vs 1997; 262.4 mil bottles recycled.