September recycling bale prices show a mixed market

September has brought limited movement across most major recovered-material markets. Recycling bale prices for post-consumer plastics remain under pressure or broadly stable, while aluminum, recovered paper and old corrugated containers have delivered stronger results than a year ago.

The latest U.S. national averages show a market divided by material quality, end-market demand and regional contract conditions. PET and natural HDPE are significantly below their levels from September 2025, but color HDPE, aluminum cans, steel cans and several paper grades have improved over the same period.

This uneven performance is important for recyclers, materials recovery facilities and brokers. A flat national average does not mean every grade is moving in the same direction. Bale specifications, contamination, freight costs and local mill or reclaimer demand continue to determine the price available in individual regions. Recycling bale prices

PET remains at a low level

The national average price for post-consumer PET beverage bottles and jars was 2.61 cents per pound in September. That is almost unchanged from 2.63 cents per pound in August, but substantially below the 5.09 cents recorded one year earlier.

The data indicate that PET bale markets have not yet recovered from the weaker conditions seen over the past year. Regional contracts continue to trade in low ranges, suggesting that buyers remain cautious despite the importance of PET as a packaging feedstock.

One factor affecting the European recycled PET market is seasonal demand. ICIS reported on September 4 that European rPET prices had declined across most markets in September, with demand slowing after the summer period and feedstock bale availability remaining high.

For sellers, this combination creates a difficult environment: more available feedstock can reduce the urgency of buying, while weaker downstream demand limits the ability of reclaimers to pay higher prices. Bale quality therefore becomes especially important. Clear, well-sorted material with low contamination is more likely to attract competitive bids than mixed or poorly prepared loads.  Recycling bale prices

HDPE and PP move in different directions

Natural HDPE from curbside collection programs averaged 36.50 cents per pound in September, down slightly from 37.25 cents in August. The current average is also below the 44.13 cents recorded one year ago.

Natural HDPE remains one of the more valuable post-consumer plastic grades, but the year-on-year decline shows that strong material quality alone cannot fully offset broader market weakness. Recyclers and sellers should continue to monitor bale color, container composition, moisture and contamination because small specification differences can produce large differences in realized value.

Color HDPE was a clear exception within the plastic category. Its national average increased from 6.44 cents per pound in August to 8.66 cents in September. The material was priced at only 2.66 cents per pound one year ago.

This annual improvement may reflect tighter availability, stronger demand for selected applications or the recovery of a grade from an unusually weak base. However, color HDPE remains well below the value of natural HDPE, demonstrating how color and sorting limitations affect the economics of recycled resin production.

Post-consumer polypropylene remained broadly stable at 6.06 cents per pound, compared with 6.50 cents in August and 5.63 cents one year ago. The monthly decline is modest, and the annual comparison is slightly positive, but the market still lacks a strong upward trend.  Recycling bale prices

Film values depend heavily on grade

Film pricing was largely unchanged in September. A-grade film averaged 13.19 cents per pound, compared with 18.31 cents one year ago. B-grade film remained at 4.50 cents per pound, while C-grade film stayed negative at minus 0.63 cents per pound.

The difference between A-grade and lower-quality film highlights the commercial importance of collection and preparation. Clean, usable film can generate positive value, while heavily contaminated material may require a fee for handling and disposal.

For retailers, manufacturers and commercial waste generators, improving film quality can involve separating stretch film from other flexible plastics, keeping the material dry and reducing contamination from food, labels and non-film items. These measures do not guarantee a higher price, but they can improve marketability and reduce deductions.

Aluminum and steel cans outperform plastics

Aluminum cans were among the strongest materials in the September update. Sorted, baled aluminum cans averaged 96.56 cents per pound, compared with 78.44 cents one year earlier.

The year-on-year increase is significant because aluminum is widely traded and benefits from established remelting infrastructure. Its relatively high value also makes collection efficiency and theft prevention important operational considerations for recycling facilities.

Sorted, baled steel cans remained steady at an average of $198 per ton. Although the monthly market was flat, the current level was well above the $158 per ton recorded one year earlier.

The contrasting performance of plastics and metals shows why recycling operators need a diversified commodity strategy. Strong metal revenue can help offset weak plastic bale returns, although the balance varies according to material composition, recovery rates and transportation costs.  Recycling bale prices

Recovered paper and OCC continue to improve

Recovered paper grades delivered some of the clearest gains in September. Sorted residential paper, classified as PS 56, increased by $5 per ton to a range of $50–$55 per ton. Mixed paper, or PS 54, also rose by $5 to approximately $35–$40 per ton.

Sorted office paper, PS 37, reached an average of $146 per ton, up from $125 per ton one year earlier. Old corrugated containers, or OCC and PS 11, increased by $10 per ton to an average of $90 per ton, compared with $67 per ton one year ago.

OCC is particularly important because it represents a large share of commercial and residential recovered fiber. Its improvement suggests healthier demand for certain grades of recovered paper, although local pricing can still vary according to mill capacity, export conditions, freight and bale quality.

The paper market also shows why contamination control matters. Wet fiber, plastic film, food residue and excessive mixed materials can lead to rejected loads or price reductions. Consistent bale preparation remains one of the most direct ways for suppliers to protect revenue.  Recycling bale prices

Policy could reshape recycled-plastics demand

Beyond short-term bale prices, regulatory developments may influence future demand for recycled plastics. On September 7, Plastics Recyclers Europe, Recycling Europe and the European Waste Management Association called for a stronger “Made in Europe” approach within the implementation of the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.

The organizations said the European plastics recycling sector is facing plant closures, weaker demand, international competition and concerns about verifying the recycled content of imported materials. They urged the European Commission to support domestic recyclers, introduce robust verification measures and improve enforcement across the value chain.

The debate matters to bale markets because mandatory recycled-content targets can create additional demand for compliant recycled feedstocks. At the same time, if buyers cannot distinguish verified material from lower-cost alternatives, the expected benefit for European recyclers may be diluted.  Recycling bale prices

Market outlook for recyclers

The September figures point to a selective, rather than broad-based, recovery. PET and natural HDPE remain below last year’s levels, while color HDPE and PP show some improvement. Aluminum, steel cans, recovered paper and OCC are performing more strongly on a year-on-year basis.

The main implications are clear:

• Plastic bale values remain sensitive to seasonal demand, reclaimer margins and feedstock availability.

• Bale quality and contamination control are increasingly important when buyers have plentiful supply.

• Metals and recovered paper are currently providing stronger support to recycling revenues than several plastic grades.

• New recycled-content rules could improve long-term demand, but verification and enforcement will be critical.

• National averages are useful benchmarks, not guaranteed transaction prices for every region.

For companies selling recovered materials, the best approach is to track both monthly price movements and the factors behind them. A stable headline number may conceal major differences between regions and grades. In the current market, accurate sorting, reliable quality documentation and close communication with buyers remain essential for protecting bale value.  Recycling bale prices

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