Factsheet Risk Assessment
Title: Recycled plastic bottles leach more chemicals into drinks
Author:
1. Introduction
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a thermoplastic polymer widely used in beverage bottles and other uses and it is
the material of choice because it is transparent and shatterproof, lightweight and CO2 impermeable (Filella, 2020).
Recent studies have highlighted that recycled plastic bottles, especially those made from polyethylene PET, can
potentially leach more chemicals such as antimony (used as a catalyst in PET production) into liquids compared to
bottles made from virgin PET (Gerassimidou, 2022) (Steimel, 2022). PET is also known for being the source of a
number of potential chemical contaminants, including endocrine disruptors such as Bisphenol A, which can cause
reproductive disorders, cardiovascular problems and cancer, among other ill effects (Gayle, 2022).
2. Risk assessment
PET is non-biodegradable but recyclable and although itself is chemically inert, additives or degradation products,
such as Bisphenol A from catalysts, may pose risks. We will focus on this chemical to assess its environmental
impacts. Risk assessment of Bisphenol A is necessary to identify potential risks for human health when PET is
recycled, in order to improve a new design-for-recycling at the waste-management infrastructure level.
3. Emission estimation
3.1 Methods
Data sourced from emission registries (https://www.emissieregistratie.nl/) and the National Institute for Public Health
and the Environmenent of the Netherlands (https://www.rivm.nl/en/bisphenol-a/environment).
3.2 Results:
Estimated annual Bisphenol A emissions (in Kg) in the Netherlands and their sources:
Year 2010 2015 2019 2020 2021 2022
Emission 2290,7537 2290,7537 2435,6338 2445,0719 2461,2493 2492,1731
(Kg)
Major sources of BPA emissions include:
- Wastewater emitted by factories: release during manufacturing and processing of plastics and resins.
- Household waste: leaching from discarded plastics.
- Sewage system: BPA enters water systems through wastewater from industries and households.
Emissions from 2010 to 2022 between sources:
Compartment Emission to sewer Emissions to sewage and Tax of surface water
surface water
Emission (Kg) 6795,698 6810,544 866,0359
Title: Recycled plastic bottles leach more chemicals into drinks
Author:
1. Introduction
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a thermoplastic polymer widely used in beverage bottles and other uses and it is
the material of choice because it is transparent and shatterproof, lightweight and CO2 impermeable (Filella, 2020).
Recent studies have highlighted that recycled plastic bottles, especially those made from polyethylene PET, can
potentially leach more chemicals such as antimony (used as a catalyst in PET production) into liquids compared to
bottles made from virgin PET (Gerassimidou, 2022) (Steimel, 2022). PET is also known for being the source of a
number of potential chemical contaminants, including endocrine disruptors such as Bisphenol A, which can cause
reproductive disorders, cardiovascular problems and cancer, among other ill effects (Gayle, 2022).
2. Risk assessment
PET is non-biodegradable but recyclable and although itself is chemically inert, additives or degradation products,
such as Bisphenol A from catalysts, may pose risks. We will focus on this chemical to assess its environmental
impacts. Risk assessment of Bisphenol A is necessary to identify potential risks for human health when PET is
recycled, in order to improve a new design-for-recycling at the waste-management infrastructure level.
3. Emission estimation
3.1 Methods
Data sourced from emission registries (https://www.emissieregistratie.nl/) and the National Institute for Public Health
and the Environmenent of the Netherlands (https://www.rivm.nl/en/bisphenol-a/environment).
3.2 Results:
Estimated annual Bisphenol A emissions (in Kg) in the Netherlands and their sources:
Year 2010 2015 2019 2020 2021 2022
Emission 2290,7537 2290,7537 2435,6338 2445,0719 2461,2493 2492,1731
(Kg)
Major sources of BPA emissions include:
- Wastewater emitted by factories: release during manufacturing and processing of plastics and resins.
- Household waste: leaching from discarded plastics.
- Sewage system: BPA enters water systems through wastewater from industries and households.
Emissions from 2010 to 2022 between sources:
Compartment Emission to sewer Emissions to sewage and Tax of surface water
surface water
Emission (Kg) 6795,698 6810,544 866,0359
