Keeping it Green

RECYCLING MARKET TRENDS IN THE U.S.

Sanders County receives a very informative recycling report from Brian Heuer of Sage Recycling in Colorado. We thought we would share information from his last report dated July 8:

Cardboard prices held in July in all markets except the southwest, where OCC (old corrugated cardboard) prices fell by another $5 a ton. The national average for OCC is now $25 a ton, the lowest it has been in 25 years according to PPI Pulp and Paper Week. Despite the bad news in the southwest, there seems to be hope that we are at or near the bottom. 

Most domestic mills are still reporting inventories way above normal, but many reported lower inventories than they had in June which is a move in the right direction. Prices for OCC today are so low that in many cases the material is not even covering the ever-rising cost of freight to the mill.

Mixed paper and old newsprint were hard to move in June. Mexico has pulled way back for now and this is the slow season for most domestic insulators, so they are buying less.

Sorted office paper dropped another $10 in all regions in July and buyers don’t think we are anywhere near the bottom. Mills are over supplied and have tens of thousands of tons sitting in warehouses. A large fire at one of the domestic mills in the southwest has compounded the oversupply problem.

PET (plastic resin) pricing looks to be flat in July with strong demand.

Aluminum Can prices have remained mostly flat for three months. Prices for aluminum cans are still severely depressed compared to last year’s market. Steel can prices have dropped $50 a ton over the last two months.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO RECYCLE WHAT YOU CAN DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES! We accept cardboard (cereal boxes are not cardboard), aluminum cans, metal, used oil and batteries. Ask your local refuse site what they take!