Several grades of paper and plastic recyclables see price shifts

Notable changes have taken place in markets for curbside recyclables over the past month, including an increase in OCC prices and a steep dive in natural HDPE prices. 

The national average for corrugated containers (PS 11) moved up again this month, now trading at about $45 per ton, compared with $32 per ton last month. The OCC grade was trading around $53 one year ago.

The national average price for sorted, baled aluminum cans is down marginally again this month, now at 47.81 cents per pound, compared to 49.69 cents per pound last month. This compares to 53.94 cents per pound this time last year.

Sorted, baled steel cans dropped marginally, now at a national average $120 per ton, compared to an average $124 per ton last month and $167 per ton one year ago.

Sorted residential papers (PS 56) remains unchanged again this month, trading at around $10 per ton. 

Mixed paper (PS 54) dropped to a new low, currently at a national average price of negative $4.38 per ton, compared to negative $2.50 this time last year.

The national average price of post-consumer PET beverage bottles and jars is currently 10.47 cents per pound, up from 9.91 cents per pound last month. This price compares to 15.02 cents per pound one year ago. Current prices for the new Premium PET grade, which includes bottle bill, deposit and special-sort materials, are in the range of 15.00 to 18.00 cents per pound.

The national average price of post-consumer natural high-density polyethylene (HDPE) dropped dramatically again this month. It is now at 37.13 cents per pound, compared with 54.81 cents this time last month. This grade traded at 26.63 cents per pound one year ago.

The national average price of color HDPE also dropped again this month, now trading at 7.38 cents per pound, compared with 8.38 cents per pound last month and 14.47 cents per pound one year ago.

The national average price of polypropylene is now 5.69 cents per pound, compared with 12.81 cents per pound one year ago.

The national average price of Grade A film remains level, at 8.88 cents per pound. Grade B film is currently 4.31 cents per pound, compared to 4.13 cents per pound this time last month. Grade C film remains unchanged at 1.38 cents 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.