We often talk about the circular economy in theory. But what does it look like in practice?
At Verdeco, it begins with a single bottle — placed in a recycling bin, ground into flake, and transformed into high-quality, FDA-approved rPET pellets. This is more than just recycling. Reimagining plastic’s lifecycle is a tangible step toward a more sustainable future.
Recently, Verdeco was honored to be featured in The Packaging School’s “Learning of the Month” video series, which spotlighted our role in advancing the circular economy. The Packaging School, renowned for translating academic insight into industry innovation, recognized our commitment to collaboration as a core focus of our mission. Their team sought us out to highlight how partnerships drive innovation in sustainable packaging — a principle that resonates deeply with our values.
During a recent tour of our facilities, we gave The Packaging School instructors the opportunity to explore this process in detail. Today, we’re offering a similar overview, showing how Verdeco transforms post-consumer waste into premium rPET solutions, and what that means for brands shaping a more sustainable future.
The Transformation Process
For Verdeco, sustainability starts long before a product reaches the shelf. It begins with PET flake, recycled bottles that have been carefully collected and ground down. Yet, not all flake meets the standards required for high-performance applications. That’s why every batch entering our facility undergoes meticulous testing to ensure consistency in color, eliminate contaminants like PVC, and verify the quality of the wash process. Only the cleanest, safest material moves forward.
Once approved, the flake advances through our extrusion systems and into solid-state reactors, where material science takes center stage. Here, we further decontaminate the plastic, enhance intrinsic viscosity (IV) for improved strength and durability, and incorporate FDA-approved, fully recyclable additives to refine clarity, color, and stability. Every step is guided by a simple principle: innovation with integrity. Excellence isn’t an aspiration — it’s our standard.
However, delivering industry-leading rPET requires more than technical precision. It demands customization. No two brands have identical needs, which is why Verdeco offers tailored solutions designed to meet exact specifications. Whether supporting hot-fill applications like juices and condiments with our heet™ line, or providing exceptional clarity and low haze through kleer™, we work collaboratively with each customer to ensure their packaging aligns with sustainability goals and performance expectations.
Why It Matters
Choosing rPET is a strategic decision — one that reflects a brand’s commitment to environmental responsibility and long-term value creation. While rPET may involve a higher upfront cost compared to virgin PET, its impact is far-reaching. Each pellet contributes to reducing landfill waste, keeping plastics out of oceans, supporting ESG initiatives, and advancing the global shift toward a circular economy.
Despite this positive momentum, access to recycled materials remains a significant challenge. The U.S. continues to face some of the lowest PET collection rates worldwide, limiting the availability of feedstock necessary to fuel sustainable production. At Verdeco, we have invested in the technology, capacity, and expertise to meet growing demand, but increasing recycled input is critical to closing the loop.
For brands ready to embrace recycled content, starting with a 20–25% inclusion rate can deliver meaningful progress without compromising performance. From initial integration to scalable solutions, Verdeco partners with customers every step of the way, proving that sustainability and high-quality packaging are not mutually exclusive.
We’re more than rPET producers. We’re collaborators, innovators, and champions of a better system working alongside forward-thinking brands to redefine what’s possible in packaging.Ready to take the next step? Start your rPET journey with us.
