Two key curbside plastic grades rose significantly in value this month, while other grades held steady from January.
The national average price of post-consumer natural HDPE from curbside collection programs moved up again, by 10%, to an average 90.88 cents per pound. This compares to 82.38 cents last month and 29.38 cents this time last year.
The national average price of post-consumer PP moved up 46%, from 9.06 cents per pound to the current 13.25 cents. PP was 4.88 cents one year ago.
The national average price of post-consumer PET beverage bottles and jars remained steady this month, now averaging 16.36 cents per pound compared to 16.44 cents last month. Regional contracts are still yielding 17-19 cents per pound. One year ago this grade was trading at an average 12.25 cents per pound.
The national average price of color HDPE remains steady this month at an average 5.81 cents per pound. This compares to 18.63 cents one year ago.
The national average price of Grade A film is up 5%, from 18.13 cents to 19.06 cents per pound. It traded at 14.19 cents one year ago.
Grade B film is up again marginally, from 7.75 to 7.81 cents per pound.
Grade C film is at a nominal 0.38 cents per pound.
These prices are as reported on the Secondary Materials Pricing 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, recyclingmarkets.net. You can also contact Christina Boulanger-Bosley at cmb@recyclingmarkets.net or call 330-956-8911.
