The national average price of post-consumer PET beverage bottles and jars dropped again in September, now averaging 4.66 cents per pound, compared to 5.75 cents per pound this time last month. Regional contracts are yielding in the 3-7 cent range. One year ago this grade was trading at an average 18.34 cents per pound.
The national average price of post-consumer natural high-density polyethylene (HDPE) from curbside collection programs dropped to the current average 44.13 cents per pound from 47.89 last month. Surprisingly, one year ago the average price was also 44.13 cents.
The national average price of color HDPE also remained constant this month, at 2.66 cents, compared to 2.56 cents per pound. This compares to 9.31 cents one year ago.
The national average price of post-consumer PP dropped marginally this month, now at 5.56 cents per pound, compared to 5.81 cents last month. PP was 7.31 cents one year ago.
The national average price of grade A film remained unchanged at 18.31 cents. This grade traded at 18.25 cents one year ago. Grade B film dropped from 5.50 to 5.0 cents. Grade C film remains a nominal 0.38 cents per pound.
The national average price for sorted, baled aluminum cans (UBCs) remains unchanged at 78.44 cents per pound. It was 75.94 cents per pound this time last year.
Sorted, baled steel cans also remain constant at $158 per ton. Steel cans averaged $152 per ton one year ago.
Sorted residential papers (PS 56) remain constant in the $52 per ton range. This compares to $85 per ton one year ago. Mixed paper (PS 54) is unchanged in the $31-$32 per ton range. This compares to $70 per ton this time last year. Sorted office papers (PS 37) remain in the $125 per ton range. This grade was $128 this time last year.
The national average price for old corrugated containers (PS 11) is still in the $68 per ton range. OCC averaged $102 per ton one year ago.
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.
