PET Plastic

Understanding PET Plastic: Strength, Clarity, and Sustainability

 

At Wild Island Trading Company, we proudly use PET plastic (polyethylene terephthalate) for many of our bottles and jars — a material known for its balance of beauty, safety, and recyclability.

🌿 What Is PET Plastic?

PET (pronounced “pet”) is a lightweight, durable, and fully recyclable plastic commonly used in food, beverage, and cosmetic packaging. It’s the same material used for water bottles and salad dressing containers — clear, strong, and safe for everyday use.

✨ Why We Choose PET

PET offers the crystal clarity of glass with the impact resistance of plastic, making it ideal for apothecary, herbal, and personal care products. It allows customers to clearly see the contents inside while providing reliable protection for liquids, oils, and dry goods.

Key Benefits:

  • Glasslike Clarity: Showcases the true color and quality of your blends, oils, and sprays.
  • Shatter-Resistant: Safe for busy shops, travel kits, and shipping.
  • Lightweight: Reduces shipping costs and breakage during transport.
  • Recyclable: Accepted by most curbside recycling programs — look for the ♻️ #1 symbol on the bottom of each bottle.
  • Versatile: Works beautifully with sprayers, pumps, and caps for herbal sprays, room mists, lotions, and more.

🌎 Sustainability & Reuse

While PET is designed for recycling, many herbalists and small businesses reuse these bottles again and again for prototypes, refills, and testers. When it’s time to retire them, simply rinse and recycle through your local facility.

Wild Island Trading Company continues to explore new packaging materials that balance function, beauty, and environmental responsibility — because we believe quality packaging should serve both people and the planet.

 

PET Plastic — Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is PET plastic safe for herbal and cosmetic products?

Yes. PET is widely used in the food, beverage, and cosmetic industries because it’s non-reactive, non-toxic, and BPA-free. It’s considered one of the safest plastics for packaging liquids, oils, and herbal preparations.

Can PET bottles be reused?

Absolutely. Many herbalists reuse PET bottles for testers, refills, or travel-sized versions of their blends. For long-term reuse, we recommend washing thoroughly with warm, soapy water and letting them air dry completely before refilling.

Is PET recyclable?

Yes — PET is fully recyclable. Most local recycling programs accept it under the symbol ♻️ #1. Just rinse out your bottles and remove the sprayer or cap (as those are often made from different materials).

Can PET hold essential oils?

Yes, PET is suitable for diluted essential oils and oil-based sprays. For highly concentrated essential oils, we recommend amber glass bottles, which offer maximum protection from oxidation and UV exposure.

Can PET handle heat?

PET is ideal for room-temperature and cold-fill products, such as mists, toners, and body sprays. It’s not designed for boiling or hot-fill applications. Always allow any mixture to cool before pouring.

What makes PET better than glass?

PET offers the look of glass with added durability and lighter weight — meaning lower shipping costs, fewer breakages, and safer handling in shops and studios. It’s also more travel-friendly for customers.

Does PET affect the scent or quality of my products?

No. PET is known for its excellent barrier properties and does not leach or absorb fragrances. Your herbal blends and mists will retain their true scent and clarity over time.