The national average price of post-consumer PET beverage bottles and jars rose marginally in May, now averaging 2.24 cents per pound, compared to 1.44 cents per pound this time last month. Many regional contracts are still trading in very low ranges. One year ago this grade was trading at an average 16.22 cents per pound.
The national average price of post-consumer natural HDPE from curbside collection programs moved upward again this month, from 75.16 cents per pound, to the current 84.50 cents. The average price was 88.56 cents this time last year. The national average price of color HDPE has almost doubled, from 8.50 cents last month, to a current average of 15.38 cents per pound. This compares to 4.31 cents one year ago.
The national average price of post-consumer PP is up again this month, from 16.38 cents to 19.69 cents per pound. By comparison, PP was 8.94 cents one year ago.
The national average price of Grade A film remains constant, at 15.75 cents per pound. This grade traded at 19.06 cents one year ago. Grade B film is unchanged at 6.69 cents per pound. Grade C film remains at a low -0.56 cents per pound.
The national average price for sorted, baled aluminum cans (UBCs) remains in the 90 cent per pound range. The average was 91.88 cents per pound this time last year.
Sorted, baled steel cans moved up this month, from $181 to an average $195 per ton. Steel cans were averaging $189 per ton one year ago.
Sorted residential papers (PS 56) remain in the $36-$38 per ton range. This compares to $68 per ton one year ago. Mixed paper (PS 54) is trading at an average $22-23 per ton. This also compares to $68 per ton this time last year.
Sorted office papers (PS 37) are up marginally, now trading at an average $124 per ton. This grade traded in the $132 per ton level this time last year. The national average price for OCC (PS 11) is up an average $4-5 per ton, now trading in the $63-65 per ton range. OCC averaged $70-$75 per ton one year ago.
