Recyclables saw an across-the-board price slump for June, with key fiber, plastic and metal grades notching slight or moderate decreases in value.
The national average price for old corrugated containers (PS 11) dropped this month, now at an average of $72 per ton, compared to $78 per ton last month. OCC averaged $108 per ton one year ago.
Mixed paper (PS 54) also dropped $1, and now is in the $39 per ton range. This compares to $70 per ton this time last year.
The national average price of post-consumer PET beverage bottles and jars continued to drop this month, now averaging 14.59 cents per pound, compared to 16.22 cents per pound this time last month. Regional contracts are now yielding in the 15-17 cents per pound range. One year ago this grade was trading at an average 15.91 cents per pound.
The national average price of post-consumer HDPE from curbside collection programs dropped again this month, now at an average 69.44 cents per pound. This compares to 88.56 cents last month and 33.88 cents this time last year.
The national average price of color HDPE also dropped marginally this month, from 4.31 cents, to an average 4.25 cents per pound. This compares to 18.94 cents one year ago.
The national average price of post-consumer PP dropped again this month, now at 8.19 cents per pound, compared to 13.13 cents last month. PP was 6.50 cents one year ago.
The national average price for sorted, baled aluminum cans dropped from 91.88 last month, to a current 83.75 cents per pound. Used beverage cans (UBCs) traded for 75.94 cents per pound this time last year.
Sorted, baled steel cans dropped from an average $188 to the current $168 per ton range. Steel cans averaged $194 per ton one year ago.
Sorted residential papers (PS 56) dropped $2, now in the $56 per ton range. This compares to $84 per ton one year ago.
Sorted office papers (PS 37) remain in the $132 per ton range. This grade was $126 this time last year.
The national average price of Grade A film remains steady at 19.06 cents per pound. This grade traded at 18.06 cents one year ago. Grade B film remains steady at 8.31 cents. 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 [email protected] or call 330-956-8911.