What Is rPET and Why Is rPET Plastic Better for the Planet—and Your Branding?

If you’re looking for a promotional tote or tumbler to advertise your brand at your next event, you may be wondering if there’s a way to make your giveaway just a little more great. Customizing a product made from rPET material is an easy way to match your merch with your values and connect with customers around mutual respect for our “pale blue dot.” But what is rPET and what makes it an eco-friendly option? Read on for simple, easy-to-understand answers! 

What Does rPET Stand For?             

RPET stands for Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate, also known as recycled plastic. But it’s not just plastic. Plastic bottles used in rPET can be made into fabric for totes and backpacks and even clothing. 

What Is rPET Plastic?  

RPET is recycled plastic, usually from plastic water bottles. Using rPET requires up to 50 percent less energy than production with new plastic. Many items are made using recycled PET or plastic, including rPET water bottles, tote bags, backpacks, tumblers, pens, and even clothing!  

How Does rPET Plastic Help the Environment? 

Here are a few more facts about rPET material, and how using it impacts the planet, including water and energy supplies1: 

• 90% less water is used in making recycled plastic versus virgin polyester 
• RPET requires 70% less energy than virgin plastic production 
• Recycling one plastic bottle saves the equivalent of three hours of energy from a 60w light bulb 
• One pound of rPET can keep 30 water bottles out of landfill 
• RPET reduces plastic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills, oceans, or our backyards 

Can You Recycle rPET?  

The best part about products made with rPET is that they can be recycled again and again, without limit! 

Is rPET Biodegradable? 

No, rPET is not biodegradable. At the end of the day, though recycled, rPET is still plastic, and as such, it’s not biodegradable. Also, though rPET has a lower carbon footprint than virgin PET (new plastic), it still has a carbon footprint and can release toxins into the air and the ground during and after production. Using rPET is a great exampled of reducing, reusing, and recycling.  

What Promotional Products are Made from rPET Water Bottles? 

Here are just a few promotional products that are made from rPET water bottles and other rPET such s from detergent bottles and other packaging: 

Bags Made of rPET Material 

Everyday RPET Drawstring Backpack: For group outings, kids’ camps, sports, and more, everyone’s a team player for the planet when they’re sporting this rPET backpack—along with your branding.  

Chaya RPET Tote with Pouch: You’re doing your part and so are your customers, with this rPET shopping tote and pouch.  

Budget Shopper RPET Tote: This might be a budget tote but the low carbon footprint of the rPET fabric is nothing short of haute couture! 

Pens Made of rPET Plastic 

Full Color Recycled Plastic Zia Pen: They’ll grab this one first because of your vivid full color logo—and because it just feels better taking notes with a pen that helps keep plastic out of landfills.  

Full Color Recycled Plastic Liv Pen: Bright barrel colors, bright logo, and bright future for the planet—a winning trifecta for your brand! 

Full Color Recycled Liv Gelebration™ Gel Pen: Translucent barrel colors, your logo in vivid colors, and smooth flowing gel ink make this rPET pen a head turner.  

Other Planet-Conscious Materials to Consider 

Though not made from recycled plastic, these materials help the environment as they are sustainable (bamboo, cork) or made from materials that would otherwise be discarded (coffee, corn, wheat). Check out a few best-sellers in our sustainable assortment of merchandise: 

• Bamboo: Bamboo Arlington Pen: The barrel’s made from sustainable bamboo, for a beautiful aesthetic and a giveaway you can get behind. 
• Coffee: Coffee Barrel Pen with Wheat Trim: Drink your coffee and write with a pen made of recycled grounds!  
• Wheat: Grande 16 oz. Eco-Friendly Reusable Coffee Cup: Made of wheat stalk that would otherwise by discarded.  

Tip: For more on promotional pens for planet lovers, check out our blog, It’s Time for Eco-Friendly Pens, and We’ve Short Listed the Best! 

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, with rPET Plastic 

Look for products made with rPET when you’re updating your giveaways. As you promote you help the planet and your customers do, too. That’s branding we can all get behind. 

Sources:  

1. https://www.rplanetearth.com/why-choose-rpet-recycled-pet-plastic-cups-over-pla-plant-based-cups/