February 2025 Price Index
February 2025 Southeast OCC Price Index: $80 per ton
Southeast OCC pricing remains unchanged - for now. OCC consuming mills are reporting a relative balance between recyclable cardboard supply and finished product demand for February. However, the developing tariff situation could have a negative impact on OCC prices in the coming months. Retaliatory tariffs on US export goods to China and Canada could cause normally exported OCC tons to stay in the US, leading to an oversupply and a decrease in pricing.
January 2025 Price Index
January 2025 Southeast OCC Price Index: $80 per ton
OCC market prices for January remain unchanged from December, halting a three-month decline in recyclable cardboard prices. Recycling mills are still benefitting from strong supply from large producers, such as distribution centers and 3PLs, who reached their annual peak production during the Holiday season. But increased demand from foreign markets, particularly Europe and Asia, seem to be supporting January's prices. However, this could be short lived, as East Coast ports face another potential closure due to ongoing labor disputes.
Need a summary of your 2024 sustainability efforts? GRS can help! We'll work with you to review your recycling metrics from the past year and present the data in a format that aligns with your stakeholders' needs. Plus, we can assist in setting achievable sustainability goals for 2025.
Contact us to request your 2024 year-end review!
December 2024 Price Index
December 2024 Southeast OCC Price Index: $80 per ton
December brings another decrease in price for recyclable cardboard in the Southeast. The $10 per ton decrease brings OCC pricing to its lowest point since September 2023. As the market continues to soften, it's important to remember that pricing is cyclical, and that we enjoyed very strong OCC pricing for the majority of 2024. GRS remains committed to offering exceptional service regardless of pricing - we will never fail to accept material due to market conditions.
Your Partner in Sustainability Reporting
Let GRS help your company set sustainability goals and track results. GRS has extensive experience working with companies to establish recycling targets and present results to stakeholders. Contact us if you would like to develop a plan to measure your sustainability efforts and share throughout your organization.
Moving Plastics Sustainability Forward
In April of last year, GRS joined over 2,000 recycling industry leaders at the 2024 Plastics Recycling Conference where we learned the latest developments in markets, policy, technology and more.
GRS accepts a wide variety of plastics. Please contact us if you would like to learn more about incorporating plastics into your recycling program.
Bans on EPS Products Hit West Coast
Pressure continues to mount for EPS producers and users to fund sustainable solutions for their waste material. Starting in 2025, California and Oregon instituted bans on the sale of certain EPS products such as foam food wear, single user coolers, and packing peanuts. The State Agencies are citing current recycling rates well below 25% as the reason for instituting these regulations.
While the bans are currently confined to just a few states, this could generate pressure for EPS producers in other regions to increase and report results on their recycling efforts. If your company, or any company that you know, would like more information about how GRS can assist with EPS recycling, please contact us.