With reference to polyethylene terephthalate, the use of which is so widespread in our daily lives, consider the following statements : 1. Its fibres can be blended with wool and cotton fibres to reinforce their properties. 2. Containers made of it can be used to store any alcoholic beverage. 3. Bottles made of it can be recycled into other products. 4. Articles made of it can be easily disposed of by incineration without causing greenhouse gas emissions. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a widely used thermoplastic polymer. Let's examine the statements:

1. Its fibres can be blended with wool and cotton fibres to reinforce their properties. Correct. PET is commonly used to produce polyester fibers. Polyester fibers are frequently blended with natural fibers like cotton and wool to improve properties such as wrinkle resistance, durability, strength, and shape retention, making them popular in apparel and home furnishings.

2. Containers made of it can be used to store any alcoholic beverage. Incorrect. While PET bottles are widely used for water and soft drinks, their suitability for all alcoholic beverages, especially high-proof spirits, is debated and often discouraged for long-term storage due to potential issues like permeation (loss of alcohol) or subtle leaching of chemicals over time, which can affect taste and safety. While some lower-alcohol beverages like beer or wine might be in PET, it's not suitable for 'any' alcoholic beverage.

3. Bottles made of it can be recycled into other products. Correct. PET is one of the most commonly recycled plastics. Recycled PET (rPET) is used to produce a variety of new products, including new bottles, polyester fibers for clothing, carpets, and various other plastic products.

4. Articles made of it can be easily disposed of by incineration without causing greenhouse gas emissions. Incorrect. Incineration of PET, like most plastics, produces carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) and potentially other toxic gases (e.g., dioxins, furans, or volatile organic compounds, depending on conditions) if not properly controlled. Therefore, it is not disposed of without causing greenhouse gas emissions, nor without other potential harmful emissions.

Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct.