Glycolysis of polyethylene terephthalate waste fibers was carried out using excess ethylene glycol in the presence of different simple chemicals, namely, glacial acetic acid, lithium hydroxide, sodium sulfate, and potassium sulfate. Good yields (> 60%) of the monomer bis(2-hydroxyethylene terephthalate) were obtained using these chemicals as depolymerization catalysts. The purified monomer was characterized by elemental analysis, melting point, IR spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance. The qualitative and quantitative yields of the monomer obtained using these catalysts are most comparable with the conventionally used heavy metal catalysts such as zinc acetate and lead acetate. The chemicals used, being cheap and comparatively less harmful to the environment, offer further advantages in chemical recycling of polyester waste fibers. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.