Recycling Commodity Markets: How Your Cardboard and Metal Have Real Value
Your recyclable materials are not just waste -- they are commodities with real market value. Here is how the recycling market works.
The Commodity Side of Recycling
When your cardboard bales or scrap metal are picked up by a recycler, they enter a global commodity market. Prices fluctuate based on supply, demand, and quality -- just like any other commodity.
Key Recyclable Commodities
OCC (Old Corrugated Cardboard): Currently trading at $80-120/ton. Clean, dry bales command premium prices. This is the single most valuable material stream for most businesses.
Scrap Metal: Ferrous (steel/iron) at $150-250/ton; non-ferrous (aluminum, copper) can be significantly higher. Even small quantities add up.
Mixed Paper: Trading at $20-50/ton depending on quality and contamination levels.
Plastics: HDPE and PET have established markets. Film plastics are more challenging but still have value in sufficient volumes.
How Pricing Works
Recyclers typically offer one of three pricing models: 1. Rebate/Revenue Share: You receive a portion of commodity revenue (common for large volumes) 2. Reduced Rate: You pay less for recycling pickup than trash pickup 3. Free Service: The commodity value offsets the hauling cost entirely
Maximizing Your Value
- Keep materials clean and free of contamination
- Bale cardboard if volumes justify equipment investment
- Separate materials by type when possible
- Work with a recycler who provides transparent pricing tied to market indices
The IRS Advantage
As a recycling-first company, Independent Recycling Services helps you capture the maximum value from every material stream. We provide regular commodity market reports and adjust your program to optimize revenue recovery.