Exports rise but still down from 2011

By Editorial Staff, Resource Recycling

The volume of plastic scrap exported in August, at 390.78 million pounds, jumped by 13.6 percent from its July figure. However, when matched against its August 2011 position, the volume of exports was down by a steep 13.3 percent.

The weighted price of recovered plastic exports in August, at 20.90 cents per pound, was essentially flat — up 0.7 percent from its July 2012 standing. However, when compared to its year-over-year (YOY) level, the price was down sharply by 20.2 percent.

Through August, at 2.92 billion pounds, the volume of recovered plastics exported was down 7.3 percent through the same period in 2011. At 21.31 cents per pound, the average price through August 2012 was down, as well, by 9.5 percent from its 2011 year-to-date standing.

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