What is the price of recycled plastic per ton?

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According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Solid Waste, properly managed curbside recycling programs can cost anywhere from $50 to $150+ per ton. Trash collection and disposal programs can cost anywhere from $70 to more than $200 per ton.



Subsequently, one may also ask, how much is plastic worth per ton?

Over the past months, the national average for corrugated containers (PS 11) has risen a nominal 2 percent from $69.00 to the current $70.63 per ton. In August 2017, OCC was trading in the $174-per-ton range.

Additionally, is recycled plastic more expensive? But according to experts it is now cheaper for major manufacturers to use new plastic. A report from S&P Global Platts, a commodity market specialist, revealed that recycled plastic now costs an extra $72 (£57) a tonne compared with newly made plastic.

In this way, what is the price of recycled plastic?

The national average price is now 38.69 cents per pound, compared to 38.88 cents this time last month. With the exception of the West Coast and Pacific regions, where the average is in the 33- to 34-cents-per-pound range, the national average in all other regions continues in the 41- to 42-cents-per-pound range.

How much is a ton of cardboard worth?

Cardboard—the most recycled commodity—has typically sold for $100 per ton. Waste Management generally keeps 25 percent from the sale of cardboard and gives its customer 75 percent. It costs the company about $20 to process that cardboard, giving it a roughly $5 profit per ton.

37 Related Question Answers Found

How much is a ton of waste?

Tons are the most common measure of weight for waste materials – a ton is equal to 2,000 pounds. Density of waste refers to the weight per unit of volume (e.g., the estimated weight of food waste is 412 pounds/55 gallon drum).

What is the cost of recycling?

“A well-run curbside recycling program can cost anywhere from $50 to more than $150 per ton… trash collection and disposal programs, on the other hand, cost anywhere from $70 to more than $200 per ton. This demonstrates that, while there's still room for improvements, recycling can be cost-effective.”

What is the price of plastic?

The current national average for post-consumer natural high-density polyethylene (HDPE) from curbside collection programs remains virtually unchanged over the past month. It went from 30.13 cents per pound to the current price of 29.97 cents per pound.

What can't you recycle?

Not everything can be recycled, even if it's made up of recyclable materials. Plastics like clothes hangers, grocery bags, and toys aren't always recyclable in your curbside bin. Other things that aren't recyclable include Styrofoam, bubble wrap, dishes, and electronic cords.

How much does HDPE cost?


Meanwhile, the price of natural high-density polyethylene (HDPE) inched upward this month. The current national average price is 38.81 cents per pound. And when one excludes the West Coast region, where the average is around 33 cents per pound, the national average sits at an impressive 41.50 cents per pound.

What is scrap paper worth?

Because of its weight and relative abundance, mixed scrap paper is only worth about $45 a ton, according to Cleveland Live. Clean white office paper sells for nearly $200 a ton at some recycling centers, according to NYU Live Wire.

How many PET bottles are in a ton?

It takes about 30,000 PET bottles to make one ton of recycled PET, according to Petco.

How much of plastic bags can be recycled?

According to Waste Management, only 1 percent of plastic bags are returned for recycling. That means that the average family only recycles 15 bags a year; the rest end up in landfills or as litter. Up to 80 percent of ocean plastic pollution enters the ocean from land.

Is it worth it to recycle plastic?

The economics of recycling plastic
From the most basic environmental point of view, all materials are worth recycling, because this reduces the need for energy-intensive mining and smelting of virgin materials. When those markets are depressed, virgin plastic becomes far cheaper to buy than recycled.

Can you scrap plastic?


You can sell your plastic scrap to Vikoz and make a profit on the plastics that you would otherwise throw away. One of the greatest benefits to recycling your plastic is that Vikoz will not only recycle the product that you consider waste, they will pay you, according to the quantity, type and location.

Is the recycling business profitable?

The good news is that the near-term and historical average price for recycled cardboard, paper aluminum and rigid plastics is above the processing cost and therefore profitable to recycle. PET plastic (beverage bottles) would earn a profit of $150 per ton, to be split by the municipality and recycling company.

How many plastic bottles make a pound?

That means three bottles make one ounce. 16 ounces in one pound so 16x3=48. Let's say around 50 bottles per pound.

How do I start a plastic recycling business?

In addition, you will need to fulfil other requirements that include the following:
  1. Register the Business with the State.
  2. Apply for a Business Tax Identification Number.
  3. Obtain Money for Financing.
  4. Pick Up a Location.
  5. Obtain a License.
  6. Buy the Recycling Equipment.
  7. Write a Transport Plan.
  8. Promote your Business.

How much does a bale of plastic weigh?

A 30" x 42" x 48" bale of plastic film weighs approximately 1,100 lbs. A semi-trailer load of baled plastic weighs approximately 44,000 lbs. Cubic yards per month x weight per cubic yard = LDPE pounds per month.

How much does plastic cost per pound?


The national average price is now 35.19 cents per pound, compared with 38.88 cents this time last month. This still represents a significant increase over one year ago, when the national average for this grade was 31.81 cents per pound.

What post consumer color fraction is the least valuable?

Colorless/light blue post-consumer PETE attracts higher sales prices than the darker blue and green fractions. The mixed color fraction is the least valuable. PET flakes are used as the raw material for polyester fibers, polyester sheets, or back into PET bottles.

Do plastic bottles actually get recycled?

While most plastic bottles are "recyclable," few are actually recycled. Gleick, about seven of 10 plastic water bottles get incinerated, dumped into landfills - or left as litter. Most plastic water bottles are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).