PET Plastic Bottle (500ml)
Food & BeverageCarbon Cost Index Score
Per kg
Methodology v1.0 · Last reviewed 2026-04-08
Scope Breakdown
| Scope | kgCO₂e | % of Total | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 2.4 | 5% | |
| Scope 2 | 16.8 | 35% | |
| Scope 3 | 28.8 | 60% | |
| Total | 48 | 100% |
Emission Hotspots
| Emission Hotspot | Scope | Est. % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| raw material production (PET resin extraction and synthesis) | S3 | 45% |
| bottle manufacturing (injection molding and blow molding) | S2 | 25% |
| distribution and transportation | S3 | 20% |
| end-of-life processing (landfill, incineration, or recycling) | S3 | 8% |
| packaging and retail logistics | S3 | 2% |
Manufacturing Geography
- Region
- China, Southeast Asia
- Grid Intensity
- 575 gCO2/kWh (China National Grid Average, IEA 2024)
Material Composition Assumptions
A standard 500ml PET plastic bottle consists primarily of polyethylene terephthalate polymer comprising the structural container material. The bottle body typically weighs between 8-12.7 grams and represents 87-100% of the total product mass. Recycled PET content varies widely, with conventional bottles containing zero recycled material while sustainable variants incorporate up to 51% post-consumer recycled content. Additional components include labeling materials, either applied as separate plastic film labels or integrated through direct printing processes. Adhesive materials account for minimal mass when labels require attachment to the bottle surface.
Manufacturing Geography
Primary manufacturing occurs in China and Southeast Asia due to established petrochemical infrastructure and proximity to PET resin production facilities. Chinese facilities operate on a national grid averaging 575 gCO2/kWh, significantly higher than global manufacturing averages. This region dominates global production because of integrated supply chains spanning from crude oil refining through polymer synthesis to final bottle formation. Manufacturing concentration in coal-dependent electrical grids substantially influences the carbon intensity of energy-intensive processes including injection molding and blow molding operations.
Regional Variation
| Manufacturing Region | Grid Intensity | Estimated CCI Score | Adjustment vs Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 575 gCO2/kWh | 48 | Baseline |
| European Union | 295 gCO2/kWh | 35 | -27% |
| United States | 385 gCO2/kWh | 42 | -13% |
| India | 625 gCO2/kWh | 52 | +8% |
| Brazil | 85 gCO2/kWh | 28 | -42% |
Provenance Override Guidance
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Supplier-specific electricity consumption data for injection molding and blow molding processes, including renewable energy procurement agreements or on-site generation documentation.
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Detailed material composition specifications including exact virgin PET versus recycled content percentages, resin supplier carbon intensity data, and any bio-based PET incorporation.
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Transportation logistics documentation covering shipping distances, modal split between ocean freight and trucking, and regional distribution hub locations.
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Manufacturing facility energy efficiency metrics including specific energy consumption per unit produced, waste heat recovery systems, and process optimization measures.
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End-of-life management agreements demonstrating established recycling partnerships, collection infrastructure arrangements, or take-back program participation rates.
Methodology Notes
- The CCI score represents cradle-to-grave emissions including raw material extraction, manufacturing, distribution, and end-of-life processing for a single 500ml PET bottle
- Scope 2 dominates through energy-intensive manufacturing processes, while Scope 3 encompasses substantial upstream resin production and downstream distribution impacts
- Functional unit assumes standard single-use consumption pattern without accounting for potential reuse applications
- Excludes beverage product contents, focusing exclusively on packaging container emissions
- Data gaps exist around regional recycling infrastructure effectiveness and transportation distance variations across global markets
- Manufacturing process emissions may vary significantly based on facility vintage, production scale, and technology deployment levels
Related Concepts
Sources
- NIH 2024 PET Water Bottles Environmental Impact — Comprehensive assessment showing PET bottles generate 38-63 grams CO2-equivalent per 500ml unit across lifecycle phases.
- Drop4Drop 2024 Product Carbon Footprint 500ml Plastic Bottle — Industry analysis demonstrating transportation and distribution account for 29-39% of total bottled water carbon footprint.
- IBWA/Trayak 2021 Life Cycle Assessment of Common Drink Packaging — Comparative study revealing PET bottles require significantly less energy to produce than glass or aluminum alternatives.
- NAPCOR 2023 PET Life Cycle Assessment Report — Trade association data showing modern 500ml bottles have reduced material composition from 18.9g to 8-12.7g since 2000.
- Amienyo et al. 2013 Life Cycle Environmental Impacts of Carbonated Soft Drinks — Academic research identifying raw material extraction and production as the largest environmental impact across lifecycle phases.
- Voulvoulis et al. 2019 Examining Material Evidence - The Carbon Footprint — Peer-reviewed analysis establishing PET resin production accounts for 2.19-2.73 kg CO2-eq per kg of resin material.
- Sustain et al. 2024 Meta-Analysis of Life Cycle Assessment Studies for PET Water Bottle — Systematic review calculating average lifecycle emissions of 5.1 kg CO2-eq per 1kg of PET material across multiple studies.
- BIER 2012 Research on the Carbon Footprint of Bottled Water — Industry research documenting manufacturing waste generation of 0.091-0.141 kg per kg of PET resin processed.
- MDC 2025 Life Cycle Assessment of Recycling PET in Taiwan — Regional study demonstrating recycling PET can reduce climate change impacts by 88% compared to landfill disposal.
- Sphera 2023 Beverage Packaging Products Comparative LCA 500mL — Consulting analysis confirming 500ml PET bottles represent one of the lowest-impact beverage packaging options available.