MIT researchers propose nationwide bottle deposit system that could increase recycling rates by 58%
Researchers at MIT have proposed the implementation of a nationwide bottle deposit system to address a stagnating 24% recycling rate for PET plastics. Their findings suggest a deposit system could increase recycling rates to 82%, with nearly two-thirds of PET bottles recycled into new ones, costing just a penny per bottle under strong demand conditions. The study emphasized the success of bottle deposit programs in other countries and suggests integrating such policies to meet recycling targets effectively. It also found that balancing supply and demand dynamics across the recycling chain through comprehensive policy frameworks would be key in recycling improvements. Read more about the MIT study on PET bottle recycling.
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