The collection of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles in Europe last year rose by more than 6% to reach almost 1.5 million tonnes, according a report commissioned by two industry bodies.

European PET container body Petcore and plastics recycling association EuPR said European post-sorting PET collection climbed to 1.45 million tonnes in 2010, an increase of 6.5% compared to 2009. They estimated that the total mechanical reclamation capacity in the European region is 1.7 million tonnes.

However, the overall collection rate of 48.3% for 2010 showed no increase on the previous year. According to the study, despite some EU countries recording collection rates in excess of 70%, all but two of the surveyed countries had collection rates above the 22.5% target for plastic recovery set by the Packaging Waste Directive. The maturity of infrastructure systems was reported as a major factor.

Exports of collected PET to the Far East fell for a second year to 13% and imports of PET bottles from outside the region were also down.