Cardboard Markets Soften for August
August was another odd month in cardboard markets. Overall, the supply in the Western Region is running pretty flat. Export markets are not aggressive; Domestic mills need material but are not hungry for extra tons. In short, cardboard markets are running steadily but not growing in material value this month.
August materials have dropped overall. Domestics slipped $5 to $10 per ton, with exports down about $7 per ton overall. Pricing follows supply and demand. The demand for extra spot tons for many mill systems is down for August, and the trend will likely extend into September as markets are fairly strong but not booming by any means.
Smokey’s Corner
Hello, everyone, and welcome to the fall of 2024. August is bringing mixed signals for cardboard.
For the first time, Domestic paper mills’ pricing varied widely depending on the area of the US. Some domestic mills dropped $5-$10 on the West Coast, while eastern paper mills held on to pricing. Export markets dropped $7 per ton.
As we all know, high freight costs are making everyday life hard to manage in terms of the cost of living. Food alone has increased well over 30%, so there is not much left over to have consumers buy things they would like. This helps stimulate the economy and helps with recycling rebates, but if packaging has slowed 30%, then prices stay slumped.
High-grade paper such as Office Pack increased by $5 this month, but this was due to low volumes of available material in the markets. Businesses generate much less paper waste, as many office systems go paperless.
ONP Newspaper and groundwood grades are flat in pricing. The mixed paper markets trended like cardboard and dipped $5 per ton.
Metals seem to be stable, and steel and aluminum are rising slowly again.
Post-consumer plastics such as PET are increasing slightly again, HDPE bottles are also rising slowly, and Plastic Films are finally starting to rise a little.
Last, our goal is to provide the best service and communication for monthly recycling tons. When you need baling wire or waste and recycling equipment sales and service, please know we have 5 service techs who can be with you the same day or within 24 hours to keep you up and running.
As always, don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. God Bless!!
Smoke
Managing your Battery Waste
Battery waste is often overlooked at many businesses and manufacturers. Did you know that all battery types are recyclable and should be recycled?
Many types of batteries, including household batteries such as AA and AAA batteries, are acceptable to dispose of in any landfill. Specialty batteries such as Nickel-Cadmium and Lithium-Ion batteries are not allowed for landfill disposal. All battery types can be recycled, and fees/rebates vary depending on the type and quantity of batteries generated.
If you are a business, manufacturer, or warehouse, it is the industry’s best practice to create a recycling program for all battery types. In most programs, batteries must be sorted by type and have terminals taped over to prevent contacting other batteries or metals during storage and transport.
The number one reason to have a battery recycling program is to reduce the risk of Fire at your facility or other disposal facilities where your waste can travel. Second, there are regulations for heavy metal batteries that require proper recycling and or disposal. Many of these battery wastes can be combined into a hazardous waste category called Universal Waste, which aims to make it easy for small generators to properly recycle battery waste without a ton of red tape.
Contact our recycling team of experts if you need help with your Battery Recycling Program. A comprehensive battery recycling program helps the Solid Waste industry reduce fires and promote the recycling of valuable metals that can be reclaimed in the industry.
Material Market Updates
Here is our quick overview of recycling markets in the West. Pricing is a net overall because we cover a large geographic area. Actual net returns/changes may vary per customer location.
OCC Corrugated Cardboard: OCC markets have seen pricing decrease in domestic markets by $5 to $10 per ton, while export markets have dropped by about $7 per ton. Increased ocean freight and less consumption in domestic markets are keeping pricing from gaining value.
Office Pack / White Grades: Prices for office paper and white grades have gained about $5 per ton this month.
Mixed Paper / Newspaper: Prices in most markets held for the month. We were seeing Mixed Paper, down $5 following OCC trends.
Post-Consumer Plastics: The PET market is holding steady, and the trend has been a slow monthly pricing climb. HDPE plastics are seeing pricing hold. Markets show more recycled content consumption, but the market is a total of inventories. HDPE may fall next month.
Plastics Films: The market for plastic films is healthy, and pricing holds value.
Printer Grades: Print grades are seeing markets hold, with some small increases noted.