Recycling Market Update: Prices for Natural and Colored HDPE Drop Sharply in May
After months of upward momentum, prices for both natural and colored high-density polyethylene (HDPE) experienced notable declines in May, accompanied by price drops in PET and polypropylene (PP) grades.
Natural HDPE: The national average price for post-consumer natural HDPE from curbside collection programs fell below the $1 mark, now averaging 88.56 cents per pound, down from 101.69 cents last month. A year ago, the price stood at 32.44 cents per pound.
Colored HDPE: Colored HDPE also saw a significant decrease, dropping from 9.44 cents to 4.31 cents per pound. In comparison, the material was trading at 23.94 cents per pound this time last year.
PET: Post-consumer PET beverage bottles and jars are trending slightly downward, with the average national price now at 16.22 cents per pound, compared to 16.82 cents last month. Regional contract prices currently range between 16 to 19 cents. One year ago, PET averaged 15.09 cents per pound.
Polypropylene (PP): PP prices dropped to 13.13 cents per pound, down from 18.53 cents last month. A year ago, the average was just 6 cents per pound.
Film Grades:
These figures are based on the Secondary Materials Pricing Index, reflecting the average prices paid for post-consumer recyclables that are sorted, baled, and picked up from most major recycling centers.
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After months of upward momentum, prices for both natural and colored high-density polyethylene (HDPE) experienced notable declines in May, accompanied by price drops in PET and polypropylene (PP) grades.
Natural HDPE: The national average price for post-consumer natural HDPE from curbside collection programs fell below the $1 mark, now averaging 88.56 cents per pound, down from 101.69 cents last month. A year ago, the price stood at 32.44 cents per pound.
Colored HDPE: Colored HDPE also saw a significant decrease, dropping from 9.44 cents to 4.31 cents per pound. In comparison, the material was trading at 23.94 cents per pound this time last year.
PET: Post-consumer PET beverage bottles and jars are trending slightly downward, with the average national price now at 16.22 cents per pound, compared to 16.82 cents last month. Regional contract prices currently range between 16 to 19 cents. One year ago, PET averaged 15.09 cents per pound.
Polypropylene (PP): PP prices dropped to 13.13 cents per pound, down from 18.53 cents last month. A year ago, the average was just 6 cents per pound.
Film Grades:
- Grade A Film remains strong at 19.06 cents per pound, up from 17.63 cents a year ago.
- Grade B Film holds steady at 8.31 cents per pound.
- Grade C Film is unchanged at a nominal 0.38 cents per pound.
These figures are based on the Secondary Materials Pricing Index, reflecting the average prices paid for post-consumer recyclables that are sorted, baled, and picked up from most major recycling centers.
Join our Plastic Recycling Conference in November to discus all news and trends in Plastic Recycling
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