The worldwide demand for sustainable development has resulted in the formation of recycling industries in many forms of materials.
 
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) is the type of plastic resin labelled with the #1 code on or near the bottom of bottles and containers and is commonly used to package soft drinks, water, juice, peanut butter, salad dressings, oil, cosmetics and household cleaners.
 
PET is the dominant medium for bottle packaging and is also one of the most important raw materials used in human-made fibres. In South Africa, the collection and recycling of PET is a growing challenge. The product is fully recyclable, as its polymer chains can be recovered for additional use.
 
PETCO has been established as a Pty Ltd Company with the specific objective of promoting and improving the waste management and recycling of post consumer Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) products on behalf of all stakeholders in the PET industry in South Africa. Support for recycling efforts will ensure that an ongoing monetary value is given to PET. This will sustain collection interest and reduce the volume of PET in the waste stream as well as that PET which ends up on our streets as litter.
 
Ongoing education and awareness will focus on the problems of litter, promote environmental responsibility and encourage PET recycling.
 
Synergies with other recycling initiatives, such as those offered by Collect-A-Can and the Plastics Federation of South Africa, and community based collection programmes in schools and elsewhere will be actively encouraged.