Our monthly markets update shows prices have been healthy for recovered PET and HDPE containers, but they’ve fallen for films.
Our monthly markets update shows prices have been healthy for recovered PET and HDPE containers, but they’ve fallen for films.
While prices for recovered PET and HDPE have remained steady or increased, post-consumer film values continue to nose-dive.
China’s import policy changes are straining recovered plastics export markets, particularly impacting mixed rigids. Recycling companies have been forced to stockpile and even landfill the materials, while numerous municipal programs have stopped accepting mixed plastics.
Over the past month, recovered PET and film values have fallen, but HDPE grades have seen slight increases.
As we enter 2018, the market for most plastic packaging collected at the curb remains unchanged, although PP prices recently took a jump.
Prices for natural HDPE bales have increased over the past month, but markets for other recovered plastics have been relatively flat. Mixed-plastic bales continue to trade at record low prices.
The Association of Plastic Recyclers has added partners to a campaign designed to encourage the use of recycled-content products.
The 13th annual Plastics Recycling Conference, taking place this week in Tennessee, has brought together nearly 2,000 sector executives. That record-high number is a sign of the widespread industry thirst for connection and guidance at a time of unprecedented market disruption.
Credit: Nerijus Juras/Shutterstock
A North American recycling operation will open an e-plastics-focused facility in response to Chinese import restrictions.