Bales of recovered PET and HDPE have increased in value this month, with natural HDPE hitting another record high.
The national average for natural high-density polyethylene (HDPE) from curbside collection programs is now 108.19 cents per pound. This compares with 106.34 cents last month. Several regions are reporting prices currently around 110.00 cents per pound. The price was 48.00 cents one year ago.
The national average price of PET beverage bottles and jars moved up 7% over last month and now averages 25.31 cents per pound, compared with 23.55 cents per pound this time last month. Some regions are trading as high as 30.00 cents per pound. California premium bales are still trading in the range of 35.00 to 38.00 cents per pound.
The national average price of color HDPE is also up again. The plastic is now trading at 58.00 cents per pound, up from 56.78 cents last month. This compares to 4.44 cents this time last year.
The national average price of polypropylene is now 38.28 cents per pound, down marginally from 39.22 cents last month. It was 4.69 cents per pound one year ago.
The national average price of Grade A film is up 7%, now at 20.13 cents per pound, compared with 18.81 cents per pound last month and 7.00 cents one year ago. Grade B film is now 7.56 cents, compared to 7.50 cents last month. Grade C film is averaging 1 cent per pound.
These prices are as reported on the Secondary Materials Pricing (SMP) Index. This pricing represents what is being paid for post-consumer recyclable materials in a sorted, baled format, picked up at most major recycling centers.
For a free trial to SMP’s Online Post-Consumer Pricing Index, visit the Recycling Markets website. You can also contact Christina Boulanger-Bosley at cmb@recyclingmarkets.net or 330-956-8911.
