Terephthalic acid esters formation

A process for the transformation of a polyester selected from polyethylene terephthalate and poly(ethylene glycol-co-1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate) into dimethyl terephthalate, the process comprising admixing the polyester with a mixture comprising an alcohol and a sub-stoichiometric amount of methoxide, wherein the methoxide is included in the mixture at a ratio between about 20:1 and about 125:1 (w/w) of the polyester to the methoxide, wherein the process achieves at least about 70% yield of dimethyl terephthalate within about 2 hours, and wherein the process is conducted at a pressure below 120 psi.