Man in factory

265,000 Jobs Created by PET*

*Estimate calculated by comparing total U.S. plastics industry employment (source: 2017 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) with total number of people employed by NAPCOR member companies.

The plastics industry alone generates some 574,280 good-paying jobs in the U.S., many of them within the areas of PET manufacturing, PET-related products and PET recycling operations. And now, with the demand for products containing recycled PET on the rise, the future for PET-related employment looks even brighter for a wide range of industries, from food and beverage to apparel to floor coverings and even automotive.

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A Positive Impact on Adverse Events

PET containers and bottles are a go-to choice whenever natural disasters damage or destroy public water supplies and treatment facilities. Catastrophic events, including earthquakes, floods and hurricanes, as well as temporary municipal water-system shutdowns, make access to safe, drinkable water virtually impossible. Fortunately, durable PET bottles and containers can quickly be shipped directly to the scene, providing storm victims or affected residents with clean drinking water and food, plus protection from potential disease, illness and contamination.

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PET’s Global Impact

Recycling rates around the world:
Economic impact map
Japan 92.2%
India 90%
E.U. 58%
Mexico 57%
Australia 30%
U.S. 29.2%
Globally, PET has a recovery rate of 58%.

Source: Wood Mackenzie report

We're Doing a Job on the Economy

The PET industry is a growing field with a wide range of occupational opportunities.

  • Packaging engineer
  • Chemist
  • Materials engineer
  • Machine operator
  • Manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Tool programmer
  • Machinist
  • Extruding/pressing
  • Industrial designer
  • Fabrication/assembly
  • Maintenance
  • Facilities manager
  • Mechanical engineer
  • Shipping/receiving
  • Drafters
  • Administration
  • Data entry
  • Sales engineer
  • Human resources
  • Computer technician
  • Technical writer
  • Accounting
  • Logistics
  • Recycler
  • Process technician
  • Mold maker

PET Jobs Make Dollars and Sense

Plastics industry average annual U.S. wages by occupation.
Source: 2019 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Plastics industry average annual U.S. wages by occupation.
Dollar iconBuilding Maintenance $29,260
Dollar iconMachinist $40,760
Dollar iconCustomer Service $41,880
Dollar iconDrafter $53,360
Dollar iconPurchasing Agent $60,740
Dollar iconMaterials Engineer $87,780