The High Cost Of Plastic: Price Per Ton

The price of plastic per ton has fluctuated in recent years, from a few hundred to several thousand euros. In 2022, prices rose due to high demand and shortages of raw materials. However, since then, prices have dropped due to an increase in the supply of raw materials and a decrease in demand. The price of scrap plastic was $236 per ton a year ago, and prices have risen notably this month.

The price of plastic per ton varies from a few hundred to several thousand euros

Until mid-2022, plastic prices continued to rise due to high demand and shortages of raw materials. However, since then, there has been a drastic drop in prices due to an increase in the supply of raw materials and a decrease in demand.

The price of scrap plastic was $236 per ton a year ago, according to the Secondary Materials Pricing (SMP) 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.

In contrast, most other curbside commodities remain flat, although mixed paper has increased slightly. Corrugated containers (PS 11) are low, at an average of $32 per ton, compared to $134 per ton a year ago. The price for sorted residential papers (PS 56) is around $25 per ton, compared to $100 per ton a year ago. Mixed paper (PS 54) is now at nearly $5 per ton, up from $1 per ton last month and $71 per ton a year ago. For fibers, sorted office papers (PS 37) are down from $216 to $204 per ton.

The price of plastic has been affected by the increase in the cost of raw materials

In 2022, plastic prices rose due to high demand and shortages of raw materials. However, since then, prices have dropped due to an increase in the supply of raw materials and a decrease in demand. The price of a ton of plastic can vary from a few hundred to several thousand euros. For example, in March 2023, the price of scrap plastic was $236 per ton, compared to $214 per ton a year before.

The demand for plastic worldwide is continuing to increase, and planned and unplanned shutdowns are contributing to tight inventory levels. This is expected to cause prices to continue to rise.

The price of plastic has also been affected by rising energy costs

The price of a ton of plastic can vary from a few hundred to several thousand euros. For example, the price of scrap plastic was $236 per ton a year ago, according to the Secondary Materials Pricing (SMP) Index. This pricing represents what is being paid for post-consumer recyclable materials in a sorted, baled format at most major recycling centres.

In contrast, most other curbside commodities have remained flat, with corrugated containers (PS 11) at an average of $32 per ton, compared to $134 per ton a year ago. Sorted residential papers (PS 56) are level at around $25 per ton, compared to $100 per ton a year ago. Mixed paper (PS 54) is now at nearly $5 per ton, up from $1 per ton last month and $71 per ton a year ago.

Rising energy costs have also impacted the prices of other materials, such as aluminium and steel. Baled aluminium cans are trading at 75.00 cents per pound, down from nearly 124 cents per pound a year ago. Steel cans have seen an increase of $16 per ton, with the current average at $192 per ton.

The price of plastic per ton was $236 one year ago

The price of plastic per ton can vary from a few hundred to several thousand euros. Prices for plastic are influenced by the cost of raw materials, such as petroleum, which has seen an increase in prices due to growing demand and a decrease in production. Rising energy costs, such as electricity and gas, have also contributed to higher plastic prices.

Until mid-2022, plastic prices continued to rise due to high demand and shortages of raw materials. However, since then, there has been a drastic drop in prices due to an increase in the supply of raw materials and a decrease in demand.

Other curbside commodities, such as corrugated containers and sorted residential papers, have also seen fluctuations in their prices over the past year.

The price of plastic per ton is currently $214

The price of plastic per ton can vary significantly, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand euros. This variation is likely due to fluctuations in the cost of raw materials and energy prices, as well as changes in supply and demand. For example, the price of sorted residential papers (PS 56) has remained relatively stable at around $25 per ton, while mixed paper (PS 54) has seen a significant increase from $1 per ton last month to nearly $5 per ton currently.

The price of plastic per ton is important for the recycling industry, as it represents the value of post-consumer recyclable materials. The Secondary Materials Pricing (SMP) Index reports the prices being paid for these materials in a sorted, baled format at major recycling centers. This information is valuable for businesses and individuals looking to buy or sell recyclable materials, as it helps them understand the current market value and make informed decisions.

The price of plastic per ton is also relevant for the packaging industry, as it affects the cost of producing plastic products. Businesses in this industry need to stay updated on plastic prices to manage their production costs effectively and make strategic decisions regarding pricing and sourcing of materials.

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