The price of natural HDPE has decreased by nearly 5% over the past month, but color HDPE and PET have shown stability.
The price of natural HDPE has continued to drop and now sits well below its position a year ago, but recovered PET values have remained constant.
In its bid to improve the environment, the Chinese government is expected to further restrict imports of scrap plastics, although a specific timeline for action isn’t clear.
The price of post-consumer natural HDPE tumbled by 23 percent over the past month, putting the value below what it was a year ago. Other key curbside plastics have shown recent stability.
The maps below demonstrate how extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs for packaging have spread around the globe over the last decade, with programs requiring packaging makers to fund recovery systems taking root in a variety of countries.
The maps were provided by Environmental Packaging International (EPI), a consultancy specializing in environmental compliance, product stewardship and sustainability related to packaging and products. EPI, More Recycling and IHS Markit are collaborating to produce a special report exploring the impact of regulations on plastics and analyzing how well PCR supply is positioned to satisfy demand. To learn more about the project and special report, visit ihsmarkit.com/products/sea-plastics-pathway.html.
Data Sort is produced each quarter by More Recycling. For additional information, go to morerecycling.com.
This article originally appeared in the Fall 2018 issue of Plastics Recycling Update. Subscribe today for access to all print content.
