PET and HDPE bales are fetching lower prices than they were a month ago, but PP and high-grade film have shown stability.
The national average price of post-consumer PET beverage bottles and jars has dropped from 15.03 cents per pound this time last month to the current average trading price of 13.91 cents per pound. This time last year, PET was trading at an average of 16.71 cents per pound.
The price of post-consumer natural high-density polyethylene (HDPE) from curbside collection programs dropped slightly this month. The national average price is now 20.34 cents per pound, compared to 20.47 cents this time last month. One year ago, the national average for this grade was 38.81 cents per pound.
Meanwhile, the national average price of color HDPE dropped 11% over the past month, now trading at 10.06 cents per pound. Last month, the national average was 11.28 cents per pound. One year ago, this grade was trading at 14.56 cents per pound.
The national average price of post-consumer polypropylene remains more constant, still trading at 12.38 cents per pound, compared to 12.44 cents per pound last month. One year ago, this grade was trading at 10.38 cents per pound.
The national average price of Grade A film remains level this month, still trading around 9.00 cents per pound. By comparison this grade traded at 8.69 cents per pound one year ago.
Grade B film is currently trading at 4.63 cents per pound.
Grade C film is still trading at a nominal 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.
