Plastics Recycling MarketsPrices for recovered PET containers have remained relatively steady. Meanwhile, values for both natural and color HDPE have climbed.

The national average price of PET beverage bottles and jars dropped 3 percent over the past month, and it currently sits at 15.17 cents per pound. This grade traded nationally at 16.19 cents per pound two months ago. One year ago, PET was trading at 14.09 cents per pound.

During the past 12 months, the national average for recovered PET bottles peaked at 17.11 cents per pound, in June 2018.

Meanwhile, the price of natural high-density polyethylene (HDPE) inched upward this month. The current national average price is 38.81 cents per pound. And when one excludes the West Coast region, where the average is around 33 cents per pound, the national average sits at an impressive 41.50 cents per pound. This represents a significant increase over the past year – this grade traded at 30 cents per pound in November 2017.

Meanwhile, the national average price of color HDPE is up 14 percent over the past month, from 13.88 cents per pound in early October to the current price of 15.78 cents per pound. One year ago, this grade traded at 16.91 cents per pound.

The national average price of Grade A film dropped by 3.5 percent over the past month, now trading at 8.75 cents per pound. One year ago, this grade was trading at 11.88 cents per pound. Meanwhile, the lower film grades remain unchanged, with Grade B film still trading at 2.63 cents per pound and Grade C film at a nominal 1.44 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 [email protected] or 330-956-8911.

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