The national average price of post-consumer PET beverage bottles has been rising steadily since January. On Jan. 3, the national average price was 10.8 cents per pound and has moved up 39.8 percent to the current 15.1 cents per pound.
Meanwhile, the national average price of post-consumer natural high-density polyethylene (HDPE) from curbside collection programs has been on a rollercoaster ride since January. It was 24.2 cents per pound opening January, rising 35.9 percent to 32.9 cents per pound by April 14, and then down 23.2 percent to the current 26.7 cents per pound.
Post-consumer HDPE rigids experienced a similar trend, with the national average price going from 6.8 cents per pound early January up 60.3 percent to 10.9 cents per pound mid-April, and then down 21.1 percent to the current 9.0 cents per pound.
Mixed Papers (PS 54-formerly listed as PS 1 Soft Mixed Paper) regained some strength over the past month, moving up 7.2 percent from a national average of $57.20 per ton on May 8 to the current $61.30 per ton. On March 31, this common post-consumer paper grade was trading 56.4 percent higher, at a national average of $95.90 per ton.
Sorted Office Paper (PS 37) is now listed at a national average of $174.70 per ton, compared to early January, when it was trading 7.1 percent lower at an average $163.10 per ton.
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 at cmb@recyclingmarkets.net or 330-956-8911.
