Recycling Of Polyethylene Terephthalate Bottles Research Articles

Upgrading and Enhancement of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate with Chain Extenders: In-Depth Material Characterization.

Chemical chain extenders (CEs) can be used to restore the properties of recycled low-molecular-weight polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The aim of this work is to investigate the influence of the type and concentration of the CEs Joncryl and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) on the viscosity and other rheological properties with a unique combination of different methods based on industrial samples originating from recycled PET bottles and trays. The resulting chain-extended thermoplastics were characterized by a combination of differential scanning calorimetry, viscometry, cone plate rheometry, pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy, 13C solid-state- and 1H NMR liquid spectroscopy, and size exclusion chromatography. For a recycled PET mixture containing bottle and tray materials, our investigations have shown that a significantly better effect for chain elongation can be achieved with Joncryl compared to PMDA. This can presumably be attributed to water molecules formed during the use of PMDA, which accelerate the degradation of PET. The storage modulus values are therefore significantly higher for the samples with Joncryl compared to PMDA. The results of this study show that chain extension with Joncryl proceeds better compared to the reaction with PMDA.

Evaluating strategies to increase PET bottle recycling in the United States

AbstractIn the United States, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle collection rates have not increased in a decade. Recycling rates remain abysmal while industry commitments and policy targets escalate the demand for recycled plastics. We investigate the PET bottle recycling system, where collection is a critical bottleneck and recycled PET supply is not meeting the expected demand. We characterize demand for recycled PET (R‐PET), analyze scenarios of expanding deposit return systems (DRS), and quantify cost barriers to improving PET bottle recycling. We find that a nation‐wide DRS can increase PET bottle recycling rates from 24% to 82%, supplying approximately 2700 kt of recycled PET annually. With stability in demand, we estimate that this PET bottle recycling system can achieve 65% bottle‐to‐bottle circularity, at a net cost of 360 USD/tonne of PET recycled. We also discuss environmental impacts, stakeholder implications, producer responsibility, and complimentary policies toward an efficient and effective recycling system.

Recycling, Material Flow, and Recycled Content Demands of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottles towards a Circular Economy in Korea

The recycling and proper management of PET bottles is needed to avoid plastic pollution, as well as to achieve a plastic circular economy. In this study, we examined the recycling system of PET bottles and their material flows by life cycle, from production to recycling and disposal under different scenarios with reduced consumption for PET bottles. In Korea, PET bottle recycling has been managed by the extended producer responsibility system since 2003. As of 2021, annual usage of PET bottles per capita in Korea was estimated to be approximately 6.5 kg. The recycling rate of PET bottles after collection was determined to be 79% in 2021. However, recycled PET (or r-PET) from mechanical recycling is mostly used in low-grade PET applications such as short fibers, bands, and sheets. More than 112 thousand tons of r-PET chips would be needed to meet the 30% recycled content requirement in PET bottles in 2030 by regulation. Thus, there is an urgent need for high-quality secondary raw materials (i.e., food-grade) by adopting advanced sorting and recycling technologies for PET bottles with recycled content. PET bottle-to-bottle recycling practices can ensure the production of high-quality recycled materials and move Korea toward a plastic circular economy.

Improvement in BHETA yield by aminolysis and its application in hot melt adhesive

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling has been carried out by various methods, e.g., mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, and energy recovery method. In this study, chemical recycling of PET was carried out by aminolysis using ethanolamine and converted into bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalamide (BHETA). We have studied the effective polymeric catalysis of the aminolytic depolymerization of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) using sulfated polyborate producing a broad range of crystalline terephthalamides. The reaction was performed by varying the PET: ethanolamine ratio, reaction time and catalyst. Recycled PET bottles, film, and fibres were used for conversion. A yield of 95 % was obtained for PET: ethanolamine ratio of 1:4 (w/w), with 4 h reaction time, at 160oC with sulfated polyborate as a catalyst. BHETA was characterized with FTIR, 1H,13C NMR, and DSC analysis. BHETA further gets reacted with dimer acid along with Ethylenediamine (EDA) at different molar ratios which produces polyesteramide (PEA) based hot melt adhesive (HMA). Thermal, mechanical, and rheological tests are performed and compared with traditional HMA. The effect on the properties of the hot melt adhesive, such as mechanical properties: tensile strength, shore D hardness, elongation at break; thermal properties: glass transition temperature (Tg), melting temperature (Tm), the heat of crystallization (Hc), crystallization temperature (Tc); adhesion properties: lap shear strength (LSS) and T-peel strength (TPS); rheological properties and degree of crystallinity were investigated. It was observed that the mechanical and thermal properties are increased by optimizing the concentration of BHETA. These HMA materials may have the capacity of being eco-friendly and have high adhesion properties.

Feasibility of Reverse Vending Machine for PET Bottle Recycling in Case of ABC Hypermarket

The prevalence of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in beverage packaging has increased microplastic (MP) accumulation in the environment. MP can become a component of air pollution, especifically of particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5). Unfortunately, Thailand has a low recycling rate for plastic bottles, with only 4.5% being recycled. Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) were introduced in the early 2010s as a potential solution to this problem. RVMs incentivize recycling by providing rewards or refunds for each bottle deposited, thereby reducing the amount of PET waste and MP in the environment. This study analyzed usage and waste collection data from RVMs located at 15 locations of a hypermarket chain in Thailand from June 2020 to December 2022. The results showed that the average PET bottles collected from each machine was approximately 670 kg per year, which was lower than the break-even point of 3,200 kg per year. Economic feasibility indicators also suggested that the use of RVMs might not be economically sound. This study proposed suggestions to improve the business model of RVMs and offered policy recommendations to the government on how to enhance the effectiveness of RVMs.

Feasibility of Reverse Vending Machine for PET Bottle Recycling in Case of ABC Hypermarket

The prevalence of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in beverage packaging has increased microplastic (MP) accumulation in the environment. MP can become a component of air pollution, especifically of particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5). Unfortunately, Thailand has a low recycling rate for plastic bottles, with only 4.5% being recycled. Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) were introduced in the early 2010s as a potential solution to this problem. RVMs incentivize recycling by providing rewards or refunds for each bottle deposited, thereby reducing the amount of PET waste and MP in the environment. This study analyzed usage and waste collection data from RVMs located at 15 locations of a hypermarket chain in Thailand from June 2020 to December 2022. The results showed that the average PET bottles collected from each machine was approximately 670 kg per year, which was lower than the break-even point of 3,200 kg per year. Economic feasibility indicators also suggested that the use of RVMs might not be economically sound. This study proposed suggestions to improve the business model of RVMs and offered policy recommendations to the government on how to enhance the effectiveness of RVMs.

Comprehensive environmental performance of bottle-to-bottle recycling of PET bottles based on deposit-refund system in China

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a widely used packaging material and has high value in recycling. However, under China’s dominant informal recycling system, most PET bottles are downcycled into fibers. The deposit-refund system (DRS) is considered a feasible mechanism to facilitate the high-value recycling of PET bottles. To comparatively evaluate the environmental performance [reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) and pollutant emissions] under different scenarios using life cycle assessments, including the current system based on informal recycling, an improved system with a larger contribution from the source separation of municipal solid waste, and evolving systems with DRS application, five scenarios were set up. The DRS can reduce GHG emissions and the comprehensive environmental impact by 0.538 kg CO2 /kg PET bottles and 1.73 × 10−3 PE/kg PET bottles, respectively, compared to informal recycling. It can be concluded that the DRS-based recycling approach and the bottle-to-bottle recycling provide the substantial emission reduction potential of GHGs and pollutants.

Sustainable fabrication of 3D printing filament from recycled PET plastic

The widespread use of plastic is leading to increased plastic waste and environmental concerns globally. This research paper aims to address this issue by investigating the potential of creating a sustainable 3D printing filament using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. Our experimental setup involved a 1.6 mm diameter nozzle with a heater block to ensure precise temperature control during filament extrusion, resulting in a reliable and repeatable filament diameter of 1. 65 mm.The study focuses on creating a consistent filament with a 1.65 mm diameter using recycled PET bottles. Additionally, finite element analysis (FEA) is conducted using SolidWorks software to compare the mechanical properties of the PET filament to conventional polylactic acid (PLA) material widely used in 3D printing. The FEA simulations analyze stress, strain, and displacement for both PET and PLA materials, and the results are compared to draw conclusions based on the numerical observations. The findings from this research will offer valuable insights into the potential of recycled PET bottles as an environmentally friendly alternative for 3D printing filaments. This work contributes to reducing plastic waste and promotes sustainable practices in additivemanufacturing.

Life cycle assessment and circularity of polyethylene terephthalate bottles via closed and open loop recycling

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling is considered as one of the key approaches to achieving the circular economy (CE) of plastic waste. Bottle-to-Bottle and Bottle-to-Fiber recycling were assessed using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Material Circularity Indicator (MCI). Three allocation methods (i.e., substitution, recycled content, and economic allocation) were used to deal with the recycling system. Producing bottle-grade PET resin and polyester fiber from PET bottle waste can reduce environmental impacts for most midpoint impact categories (e.g., 60% greenhouse gas emissions reduction and 85% fossil resource scarcity reduction). At the endpoint level, the damages to resources, ecosystem quality, and human health of the recycled PET bottles derived from Bottle-to-Bottle recycling were less than virgin PET bottles when using the substitution and recycled content methods. When using the economic allocation method, the final LCA findings highly depended on the recycled content used to produce the PET bottles. On the other hand, regardless of the allocation method used, recycled polyester fiber derived from Bottle-to-Fiber recycling caused less environmental damages than virgin polyester fiber. The MCI scores of Bottle-to-Bottle recycling in the baseline scenarios range between 0.20 and 0.31, whereas the MCI scores of the expected scenario in the future show a higher level of material circularity (0.55–0.60) as a result of 100% collection rate for recycling of PET bottles and the use of recycled PET as a feedstock. Therefore, higher collection rates and recycled content support Bottle-to-Bottle recycling. On the other hand, the MCI score of Bottle-to-Fiber recycling in the baseline scenario is 0.52. This high score resulted from the use of 100% recycled PET as a feedstock of polyester fiber. Recycling polyester fiber at the end-of-life could further increase the MCI to almost 0.7. However, to keep the materials at their highest quality and value, Bottle-to-Bottle recycling should be the preferred option.

Does PET trays sorting affect the sustainability of plastic waste? An LCA and cost-revenue approach

Currently, the management of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) trays waste is still challenging since this packaging affects the consolidate recycling of PET bottles. It is important to separate PET trays from the PET bottle waste stream to avoid its contamination during recycling process and to recover a higher amount of PET. Hence, the present study aims to evaluate the environmental (by means of Life Cycle Assessment, LCA) and economic sustainability of sorting PET trays from the plastic waste streams selected by a Material Recovery Facility (MRF). For this scope, the case of a MRF in Molfetta (Southern Italy) was chosen as reference, and different scenarios have been evaluated by assuming different schemes of manual and/or automated PET trays sorting. The alternative scenarios did not achieve very pronounced environmental benefits over the reference case. Upgraded scenarios resulted in overall environmental impacts approx. 10 % lower as compared to the current scenario, with the exception of the climate and ozone depletion categories where differences in impacts were much higher. From an economic point of view, the upgraded scenarios achieved slightly lower costs (<2 %) than the current one. Electricity or labour costs were necessary in upgraded scenarios, but in this way fines for PET trays contamination in PET streams for recycling were avoided. Implementing any of the technology upgrade scenarios is then environmentally and economically viable, when the PET sorting scheme is performed in appropriate output streams through optical sorting.

Transforming Waste into Value: Eco-Friendly Synthesis of MOFs for Sustainable PFOA Remediation

In response to the need for sustainable solutions to address perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) contamination, we have developed an eco-friendly approach for synthesizing two types of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) using waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles via a one-pot microwave-assisted strategy. Our innovative method not only avoids the initial depolymerization of PET bottles but also promotes environmental conservation by recycling waste materials. The La-MOF and Zr-MOF materials exhibit remarkable surface areas of 76.90 and 293.50 m2/g, respectively, with La-MOF demonstrating greater thermal stability than Zr-MOF. The maximum experimental PFOA adsorption for La-MOF and Zr-MOF was obtained at 310 and 290 mg/g, respectively. Both MOFs follow the Langmuir isotherm closely, with the adsorption of PFOA following a pseudo-2nd-order kinetic model. In packed-bed column tests, breakthrough positions of 174 and 150 min were observed for La-MOF and Zr-MOF, respectively, with corresponding bed volumes of 452 mL and 522 mL based on the PFOA limit of 0.07 µg/L in drinking water. These findings indicate that these MOFs can be used in industrial packed-bed columns to remove PFOA from contaminated water sources in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Importantly, the sorption performance of the fabricated MOFs for PFOA remained stable, decreasing by less than 10% over seven cycles. This study underscores the potential of recycled PET bottles and the one-pot microwave-assisted synthesis of MOFs as an effective and environmentally friendly solution for PFOA remediation. This innovative approach has several managerial implications, such as the use of waste materials as a feedstock, which can reduce the cost of production and minimize environmental impact by promoting recycling and repurposing, enhancing the reputation of companies operating in the chemical industry, and improving their sustainability metrics. By integrating sustainability principles and waste recycling, our approach offers promising avenues for addressing PFOA contamination while promoting resource efficiency and environmental conservation.

Experimental investigation and micromechanics-based damage modeling of tensile failure of polymer concrete reinforced with recycled PET bottles

Epoxy-based polymer concretes (PCs) behave in a quasi-brittle manner and suffer from low tensile strength. Adding different kinds of fillers has been widely used to improve the ductility of these materials and change the failure mechanisms. In this study, we used polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fillers from recycled bottles to enhance the tensile strength and ductility of PCs and prevent sudden brittle failure. Two different sizes of fillers (i.e., fine and coarse) are considered and the Brazilian disk configuration is used to measure the indirect tensile strength of reinforced PCs. Experimental results showed that the addition of coarse PET fillers to the PC has more significant effects on tensile strength and failure mechanism than fine PET fillers. Then, micromechanical damage analyses are conducted via finite element simulations of two-dimensional representative volume elements. The effects of void content and recycled PET fillers on the tensile strength and ductility of reinforced PCs were studied in the micromechanical simulations. Since the Brazilian disk examines the indirect tensile behavior, a relationship was proposed between the direct micromechanical tensile strength and the indirect macro mechanical tensile strength. The new procedure is experimentally validated for the prediction of the tensile strength of both reinforced and unreinforced PCs.

Valorization and recycling of packaging belts and post-consumer PET bottles in the manufacture of sand concrete

The valorization of local by-products in the manufacture of a new range of sand concrete and the improvement of their properties, will lead to seek an arrangement between performance and cost in order to achieve a resistant material. Waste recycling affects two very important affect namely the environmental impact and the economic impact. The main objective of our work is to contribute to optimize the formulation of sand concrete as part of the recovery of waste, which is harmful to the environment given its bulky and unattractive nature, it is waste plastic. Most PET bottles become waste after use, causing environmental problems. To solve this problem, a method for recycling PET bottles as fibers to strengthen concrete is proposed. Two types of plastic waste are added to sand concrete; the first concerns the recycling of post-consumer bottles in PET, in the form of polyester fiber supplied by the company RET-PLAST and the second type concerns the packaging belts made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The properties in the fresh state (workability and density) and in the hardened state (compressive strength, tensile strength and water absorption) of the various produced concretes are analyzed and compared against their respective controls. From the experimental results, it can be concluded that the reinforcement of the cement matrix with PET fibers with a rate of 1% improves the mechanical properties of sand concrete as well as a remarkable decrease in its water absorption capacity.

Manufacturing of a PET Filament from Recycled Material for Material Extrusion (MEX)

Due to its low cost and easy use, the use of material extrusion (MEX) as an additive manufacturing (AM) technology has increased rapidly in recent years. However, this process mainly involves the processing of new plastics. Combining the MEX process with polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which offers a high potential for mechanical and chemical recyclability, opens up a broad spectrum of reutilization possibilities. Turning used PET bottles into printable filament for MEX is not only a recycling option, but also an attractive upcycling scenario that can lead to the production of complex, functional parts. This work analyzes the process of extruding recycled PET bottle flakes into a filament, taking different extrusion screws and extrusion parameters into account. The filament is subsequently processed with MEX into tensile tests. An accompanying thermal, rheological and mechanical characterization of the recycled resin is performed to offer a comparison to the virgin material and a commercially available glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG) filament. The results show the importance of adequate drying parameters prior to the extrusion and the sensitivity of the material to moisture, leading to degradation. The recycled material is more prone to degradation and presents lower viscosities. Mechanical tests display a higher tensile strength of the recycled and virgin resin in comparison to the PETG. The extrusion of the used PET into a filament and the subsequent printing with the MEX process offers a viable recycling process for the discarded material.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste plastic as natural aggregate replacement in geopolymer mortar production

This work investigates the recycling potential of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle wastes as natural sand substitute in geopolymer (GP) mixtures to reduce plastic pollution and transition to a circular economy. Fresh and hardened properties of coal fly ash-based GP mortars with replacement of quartz sand by grinded fine PET particles of 0.315–1.25 mm in size (20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%) were evaluated. It was found out that an increase in plastic aggregate content leads to a decrease in compressive strength and flexural strength of geopolymer mortars. In turn, the splitting tensile strength increased slightly when up to 40% of the sand volume was replaced by plastic aggregate. At this replacement level, the fresh geopolymer mixes had workability close to that of conventional mortar. The flake-like PET particles contributed to the reduction of cracking of the specimens and more ductile failure modes. Furthermore, GP mortars containing recycled PET bottle wastes at the full replacement level of natural aggregate showed advantages in lightweight (up to 15%), water absorption (up to 26%) and thermal insulation properties (up to 59%), enabling production of sustainable construction materials with environmental and economic benefits.

Hybrid Coatings of SiO2–Recycled PET Unsaturated Polyester Resin by Sol-Gel Process

Hybrid coatings of SiO2 and recycled unsaturated polyester resin (R-UPR) from recycled polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) were prepared by the sol-gel process on glass substrates. First, SiO2 was synthesized by the sol-gel process using a tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) solution. Next, bis(2-hydroxypropyl-terephthalate) (BHPT) was synthesized from mechanical and chemical recycling (glycolysis) of post-consumer PET bottles in propylene glycol (PG) using ZnA as catalyst, in a Vessel-type reactor (20–200 °C); maleic anhydride (MA) was added and, following the same procedure, the unsaturated polyester (UP) was synthetized, which was cooled to room temperature. Next, styrene (St) and benzoyl-peroxide (PBO)-initiator were added to obtain R–UPR. TEOS (T) and three hybrid solutions were synthesized, with molar ratios of 0:1:0 (T), 1:2:0.25 (H1), 1:1:0.25 (H2), and 1:0:0.25 (H3) for R–UPR:TEOS:3-trimethoxy-(silyl)-propyl-methacrylate (TMSPM), respectively, with which TC, HC1, HC2, and HC3 coatings were elaborated using the immersion technique and polymerized (120 °C for 24 h). The solutions were characterized by FT–IR and TGA, and the coatings by SEM, nanoindentation, AFM, adhesion, and contact angle. The results showed that SiO2 enhanced mechanical (hardness and Young’s modulus) and thermal properties of the R-UPR. The coatings adhered perfectly to the substrate, with thicknesses of micrometer units and a flat surface; in addition, hydrophilicity decreased as SiO2 decreased.

Characterization of recycled and virgin polyethylene terephthalate composites reinforced with modified kenaf fibers for automotive application

AbstractThe current research has produced engineering plastics composite for automotive applications using waste recycled plastic recycled polyethylene terephthalate (RPET) bottles as the matrix and compounded with chemically modified natural kenaf fibers in comparison with virgin polyethylene terephthalate (PET) composites under the same processing conditions. Kenaf fibers were surface modified by alkali and epoxy coating treatment methods. The waste RPET bottles which were mechanically recycled were pulverized using a 5 mm mesh size aperture into flakes and melt‐mixed with 10 wt% of short kenaf fibers in a twin‐screw extruder and compression‐molded at 240°С optimized temperature. Mechanical and thermal analyses were performed on both RPET, virgin PET (VPET), and their constituent kenaf composites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was carried out to assess the composite's morphological characteristics. The results show that both treated (TKF/RPET and TKF/VPET) composites gave higher mechanical properties compared to untreated (KF/RPET and KF/VPET) composites. RPET and its constituent composites show higher impact properties than VPET composites. However, the tensile and flexural strength of VPET composites was higher than that of recycled RPET composites. RPET and VPET showed melting peak temperatures of 252.9°C and 245.8°C respectively. Both treated TKF/RPET and TKF/VPET composites were more thermally stable and decomposed at higher temperatures compared to the untreated composites. The SEM results for both treated composites showed a strong fiber/matrix adhesion with no clear evidence of fiber degradation as compared to untreated composites. It can be concluded that RPET possessed similar thermal properties compared to its virgin counterpart and can serve as a substitute for virgin PET in the composite formulation.

On the use of metal-organic framework-based adsorbent from recycled PET bottles for Eriochrome Black T removal

In this study, a metal–organic framework (MOF) adsorbent from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles was developed to effectively remove Eriochrome Black T (EBT) dye present in synthetic wastewater. A sustainable, “greener” route of MOF synthesis was adopted involving microwave-enabled depolymerization of PET to terephthalic acid (TPA) and conversion of the latter to its organic salt linker form. Results from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) not only revealed the structure of the as-prepared MOF, but also proved the presence of EBT molecules on the adsorbent during the dye removal process. A ∼77% maximum removal was reached after 90 min and the adsorption was best explained by Langmuir model having 82.5 mg/g maximum monolayer capacity. Kinetic studies also showed the adsorption to be pseudo-second order with a two-stage intraparticle diffusion process. The effective performance of MOF on EBT removal was also verified by the presence of potential adsorbent-adsorbate interactions such as ionic, hydrogen bonding, and π–π stacking. Thus, the as-fabricated PET-derived MOF is considered a decent, value–added material acting as a sustainable adsorbent for organic dyes present in contaminated water.

Recycling of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottles in the Logistics Supply Chain – Overview

A great deal of packaging made of PET is observed in logistics supply chains, and the article is mainly concerned with food – bottles. Implementing the EU’s “zero-waste” guidelines implies action on the part of producers of packaging and food for B2C distribution to find new solutions to enable the above-mentioned stakeholders in the logistics supply chain to balance the business mentioned above parties – taking into account environmental protection. The article discusses the tasks and possibilities under the above conditions of a new type of “RECYCLER” companies, which, at the end of the life of PET packaging, i.e. after the foodstuffs in PET bottles have been consumed, produce a recyclate and return it to re-production. In several journals, including, e.g. (Połednik et al. 2016, Topiarzová et al. 2011), respecting good recycling practices – there is an ongoing discussion on the sense of introducing reusable packaging, deposits, etc. This article discusses the barriers to recovery in a multi-level plastics recovery system, with specific reference to the operation of a PET bottle recycling line, and presents a pre-verified concept for a method to increase the efficiency of separating PET bottles from the plastics fraction in a multi-level waste separation system.

Life cycle assessment of bottled mineral water for the hospitality industry in Northern Italy

AbstractThe consumption of bottled mineral water in Italy is amongst the highest at the European level. This life cycle assessment (LCA) aims to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with the distribution of mineral water in the Italian hospitality industry, that is less investigated than the domestic consumption in the existing literature. The use of traditional one‐way PolyEthylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles of small format (0.5 L) was compared with the alternative system of refillable, 1 L, glass bottles. Primary inventory data were collected to describe the system. The evaluation considered 14 impact indicators calculated according to the Environmental Footprint method. LCA results support the replacement of plastic with glass containers in the hospitality industry only in the best conditions for the glass bottles (more than 25 uses and a local distribution) and simultaneously in the worst situation for PET (bottles of small format and 100% from virgin granulate). When a recycled PET bottle is considered, results become heavily in favour of the single‐use PET system. The following recommendations were derived for increasing the environmental sustainability of the distribution of bottled water in the Italian hospitality industry: to move towards a PET bottle closed loop system, in which discarded PET bottles are recycled to produce bottle‐grade granules; to promote a progressive light weighting of refillable glass bottles, compatibly with the bottle resistance and to ensure at least 25 reuses before their disposal; to promote the sale of bottled water from local bottling companies (no more than 300 km distance from the final client).