PET Bottle

PET BOTTLE

by Antonio C. Antonio

June 14, 2014

PET bottles got their name from the material used in manufacturing them: Polyethylene terephthalate.  Introduced in 1947, PET bottles were not popular because they were quite expensive.  But by the 1960s, with the introduction of high-density polyethylene and as production for PET bottles became more cost efficient, PET bottles became the accepted container for most commercial products… water, soda, milk, motor oil, cooking oil, medicine, shampoo, etc.  The breakable glass bottle became history for the lightweight and more durable plastic bottle.

PET bottles, however, are non-biodegradable and, rather than recycled, most of them found their way to dumpsites.  This has become a major concern.  Reuse and recycling of PET bottles is now the order of the present and future too.  Although seemingly limited, alternative use for used PET bottles is an important measure that should be the concern of everyone.

My personal research brought me to some novel utilization solutions to the used PET bottles problem.   Flooding in urban centers in our country is largely caused by clogged sewer and drainage systems.  A close observation of the waste materials that are found in our canal and drainage systems are plastic materials… in large quantity are PET bottles.  Here are some simple sample solutions:

• Utilize used PET bottles in making light water crafts that can be used to evacuate and ferry people during the flooding season.  This will also reduce the amount of plastic materials in our already clogged waterways.
• Utilize used PET bottles in building low-cost housing for the homeless.  The victims of Typhoon Yolanda might be interested to use these to re-build their homes.

I’m certain there will be other alternative use for PET bottles.

Just my little thoughts…