Pact Collective and Eastman have qualified the use of clean multi-color PET waste from Pact members and consumers as feedstock for Eastman’s methanolysis technology. This process addresses the challenge of multi-colored PET received at Material Recovery Facilities (MRF), which ​is​ unlikely to be mechanically recycled because of color variations. 
 
Eastman’s methanolysis process enables the upcycling of multi-color PET waste into ‘Eastman Renew’ materials—high-quality co-polyesters and PET for the beauty industry, offering a quality similar to virgin materials.
 
The methanolysis process breaks down hard-to-recycle PET waste to its essential building blocks (monomers) that Eastman uses to create its high-performance materials.
 
Eastman cosmetics packaging segment manager, Tara Cary commented:
“Eastman’s collaboration with Pact Collective has been a journey of shared vision and commitment. Our combined efforts are ensuring a more sustainable future for the beauty industry. By harnessing our methanolysis technology, we are turning challenges into opportunities and leading the way towards a future where beauty packaging waste is a valuable resource, not a burden.”
 
Eastman and Pact aim to validate more complex streams of beauty packaging waste for Eastman’s molecular recycling. The goal of this ongoing effort is to reduce the dependency on less sustainable options like landfilling and pave the way toward a more sustainable future.
 
Pact’s Executive Director Carly Snider said:
“Pact works to identify the highest and best use for the material we collect through our collection programs, always starting with mechanical recycling when possible. Eastman’s technology gives Pact’s material that may otherwise be destined for waste-to-energy the opportunity for a better end-of-life. Eastman may even help us keep this plastic material in circulation, creating more post-consumer recycled content that can be used in future beauty packaging.”

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