Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry

Polyester: A polymer whose monomers are bonded together via esters.

	+	HOCH2CH2OH	Polymerization
Terephthalic acid		Ethylene glycol		Polyethylene terephthalate

Shown here is the molecular structure of polyethylene terephthalate (PET; PETE), an easily recyclable polyester plastic used in many applications such as water bottles. Its monomers (ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid) are joined via esters (shown with colored atoms).

A recyclable PET water bottle.		The universal recycling symbol for PET.