The national average price of post-consumer PET beverage bottles and jars remained steady for December, averaging 5.41 cents/lb, compared to 5.28 cents/lb this time last month. Regional contracts are still yielding in the 4-7 cent range. One year ago this grade was trading at an average 15.41 cents/lb.
The national average price of post-consumer natural HDPE from curbside collection programs remains unchanged at 46.75 cents/lb. The average price was 66.19 cents this time last year.
The national average price of color HDPE is up marginally this month, from 2.75 cents to 3.0 cents/lb. This compares to 5.44 cents one year ago.
The national average price of post-consumer PP remains steady this month, at 5.38 cents/lb. By comparison, PP was 9.06 cents one year ago.
The national average price of A-grade film is down, from 17.38 cents to 14.44 cents/lb. This grade traded at 18.13 cents one year ago. B-grade film is down marginally from 6.38 cents to 6.13 cents/lb. C-grade film remains at 0.38 cents/lb.
The national average price for sorted, baled aluminum cans (UBCs) remains constant at 78.44 cents/lb. It was 86.88 cents/lb this time last year.
Sorted, baled steel cans also remain constant at $158/ton. Steel cans averaged $174/ton one year ago.
Sorted residential papers (PS 56) remain constant in the $34/ton range. This compares to $60/ton one year ago. Mixed paper (PS 54) is still trading at an average $20-21/ton. This compares to $41/ton this time last year. Sorted office papers (PS 37) are still trading at an average $108/ton. This grade was $115-$120/ton this time last year.
The national average price for OCC (PS 11) remains in the $45-$50/ton range. OCC averaged $70-$75/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.
