WILLEMSTAD – Recycling centers on Curaçao will no longer accept colored PET plastic bottles starting this week. The change was announced by the recycling organization Green Force, which says the measure is necessary due to declining global demand and recyclability for colored PET plastics.
According to Green Force, international market trends show that clear PET has become significantly more valuable in the circular economy, while colored PET plastics are increasingly difficult to recycle and sell on the global market.
The organization explains that once plastic bottles are produced with color, it becomes almost impossible to remove the color during the recycling process. As a result, colored PET has limited reuse potential compared to transparent plastic.
“Clear PET is recognized worldwide as the most valuable plastic stream for recycling,” said Timo Brouwer of Green Force. “Colored PET rapidly loses value because it cannot easily be reused for high-quality applications. At the moment, there is virtually no market for it.”
Brouwer added that colored packaging has often been used by companies primarily for marketing purposes rather than environmental considerations. “For years companies have used colors as a marketing tool when labels could have served the same purpose. It is time for change, and companies should start taking responsibility for the environmental impact of their products.”
Under the new policy, colored PET bottles such as green, dark blue, red, gray or white will no longer be accepted at recycling centers or collection points across the island. Residents and businesses are being asked to dispose of these bottles through regular waste streams until alternative solutions are developed.
The measure does not apply to colored HDPE plastic bottles, also known as plastic type 2.
Green Force says eliminating colored PET from the recycling stream will allow the organization to operate more efficiently, reduce costs and free up storage space for recyclable materials that have a viable processing market.
The organization is also urging residents to help reduce waste by choosing products packaged in clear or light blue PET bottles whenever possible.
In addition, Green Force is calling on the Curaçao government to consider banning the import or local production of colored PET bottles and to move forward with legislation targeting single-use plastics. According to the organization, such measures could significantly reduce the island’s growing waste problem and support the development of a more sustainable waste management system.