Attached is your PO for deliveries of recyclables during Jun2023.
The value of recyclables is down this month due to OCC, plastics, and metals dropping.
In the Pacific Northwest (PNW), demand from domestic paper mills is down. PCA in Wallula remains shutdown indefinitely.Every other domestic paper mill, except one, is reducing demand. Domestic mills are not getting as many paperboard orders as expected. And, we have not seen the normal increased demand for agricultural boxes as in previous years. Export OCC pricing improved slightly. But since the majority of OCC is still consumed domestically, falling domestic prices outweighed the small export increase.
As in the previous few months, plastics values dropped again. While HDPE grades remained flat, all other plastic grades dropped. The consumer demand for plastic bottles is lower than typical. Consumers are not buying as many drinks from PET containers as in past years.
Metals values also dropped significantly, both UBC and tin. Similar to plastic containers, consumers are not buying the normal level of drinks in aluminum cans.Consumer purchases of foods from tin cans is also down.New home building and other construction activities are also suppressed, creating less need for both recycled plastics and metals.
In general, the national economy is stagnant and not growing. Consumer spending is down and not generating demand for recycled materials. There are not any signs of near-term economic recovery to stimulate the recyclable markets. Continued economic uncertainty and rising interest rates have cut into people’s available funds. This situation hurts the corrugated and paperboard markets. Normally, as temperatures rise heading into the Summer, consumers buy more beverages in aluminum cans and plastic bottles. But, this year, the industry has not seen the customaryseasonal demand increase. This has negatively affected both UBC and PET prices.
These are trying economic times, creating uncertainty in the recyclables market. We are staying on top of trends to deliver you the highest possible price and to provide you with the best service. It is our pleasure to work with you to recycle material and to protect our environment. We appreciate you and thank you for your business.
Stay Safe! Enjoy this Holiday season.
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