The national average price for bales of post-consumer PET beverage bottles and jars remained steady in October, now averaging 4.50 cents/lb, compared to 4.66 cents this time last month. Regional contracts are still yielding in the 3-7 cent range. One year ago this grade was trading at an average 17.59 cents/lb.
The national average price of post-consumer natural HDPE from curbside collection programs remains steady, at 44.63 cents/lb, compared to 44.13 cents this time last month. The average price was 49.63 cents this time last year.
The national average price of color HDPE bales is up marginally, from 2.66 cents/lb to an average 3.25 cents/lb. This compares to 8.56 cents one year ago.
The national average price of post-consumer PP remains flat at 5.56 cents/lb. By comparison, PP was 9.75 cents one year ago.
The national average price of A-grade LDPE film is up marginally, from 18.31 cents to 18.75 cents/lb. This grade traded at 18.13 cents one year ago. B-grade film is up from 5.0 cents to 7.0 cents/lb. C-grade film remains at 0.38 cents/lb.
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.
