Major waste haulers reported strong Q3 earnings despite recycled commodity prices falling 30% to 35% on the year. | Courtesy WM
The nation’s largest waste haulers delivered strong third-quarter earnings and expanded EBITDA margins despite lower recycled commodity values. Continue Reading
The national average price of post-consumer PET beverage bottles and jars rose slightly for November, now averaging 5.28 cents/lb, compared to 4.50 cents/lb this time last month. Regional contracts are still yielding in the 4-7 cents range. One year ago this grade was trading at an average 16.41 cents/lb.
The national average price of post-consumer natural HDPE from curbside collection programs firmed slightly this month, now at 46.75 cents/lb, compared to 44.63 cents/lb this time last month. The average price was 58.56 cents this time last year.
The national average price of color HDPE is down marginally this month, from 3.25 cents to an average 2.75 cents/lb. This compares to 8.0 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 9.76 cents one year ago.
The national average price of A-grade film is down marginally, from 18.75 cents to 17.38 cents/lb. This grade traded at 18.13 cents one year ago. B-grade film is also down from 7.0 cents to 6.38 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 per ton. Steel cans averaged $174 per ton one year ago.
Sorted residential papers (PS 56) dropped $6 per ton from $40 to the current $34 per ton. This compares to $63 per ton one year ago. Mixed p aper (PS 54) also dropped from $26 to an average $20-21 per ton range. This compares to $45 per ton this time last year. Sorted office papers (PS 37) dropped $5 from $115 to an average $110 per ton. This grade was $115-$120 per ton this time last year.
The national average price for old corrugated containers (PS 11) dropped from an average $54 per ton to the current $45-$50 per ton range. OCC averaged $77 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 [email protected] or call 330-956-8911.
Several producer responsibility organizations plan to complete harmonized package design guidance, anchored for plastics in the APR Design Guide, by the end of 2026. | Gary718 / Shutterstock
Five Canadian producer responsibility organizations are joining forces to provide clear, consistent guidelines to make packaging design recyclable, with plastics guidance anchored in the Association of Plastic Recyclers Design Guide. Continue Reading
The state’s program was once considered a national leader, achieving redemption rates topping 95%, but showed a significant drop by 2024, a recent report showed. | Veja / Shutterstock
A new report from the University of Michigan warns that the state’s signature 10-cent bottle deposit system is faltering, with redemption rates dropping to their lowest level in decades and structural gaps threatening the program’s ability to support Michigan’s recycling and climate goals. Continue Reading
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Shipping containers moving through the Port of Long Beach are expected to slow in November and December, authorities said, activity that has a strong correlation to demand for cardboard boxes globally as well as supply of old corrugated containers.
Left to right: Josh Borgmeyer, Trek Bicycle; Scott Gerber, Better Play Initiative; Steve Callahan and Stratton Kirton, Liberty Tire Recycling, at the NRC panel Getting to Zero: Recycling Tire Waste. | Courtesy Stratton Kirton
At this year’s National Recycling Congress, I had the privilege of moderating a panel of industry and advocacy leaders for a conversation on recycled rubber. This topic may sound narrow but it mirrors the broader challenges facing recycling across every material type. Continue Reading
The New York-based CurbWaste platform brings order management, invoicing, real-time dispatch and other hauler functions under a single interface. | Here Now / Shutterstock
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Christine Kiourtsis is president of Renewable Recycling. | Photo courtesy Christine Kiourtsis
A warm welcome back to Women in Circularity, where we shine a light on women moving us toward a circular economy. For October, I was pleased to connect with a leader in mattress recycling and circular business solutions, Christine Kiourtsis. Christine is the president of Renewable Recycling Inc. (RRI), a company that diverts mattresses and other difficult-to-recycle materials from landfills by recovering valuable components for reuse and recycling. With more than a decade of experience in recycling operations, Christine is a recognized advocate for advancing circular economy practices and innovative recovery infrastructure across the northeast United States. Continue Reading
Denver is rolling out its Waste No More ordinance, a community-driven effort to build a circular waste system through 2026 with agency coordination, outreach and rulemaking. | Ted Alexander Somerville / Shutterstock
Denver has begun implementing its community-led Waste No More ordinance, sweeping legislation designed to transform the city’s waste collection system toward a circular economy model. Continue Reading
A warm welcome back to “Women in Circularity”, where we shine a light on women moving us toward a circular economy. This month, I was pleased to connect with an expert in community-based circular systems: Dr. Jess Watson. Jess is the Executive Director of earthday365, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring and equipping the St. Louis community to work collaboratively toward an equitable, healthy and environmentally sustainable future through education and resources. Jess has 20 years of experience in developing and delivering community projects that support a healthy, just and circular future.