NERC鈥檚 MRF Values Survey Report for the period July – September 2024 showed a continued increase in the average commodity price for Q3. The average value of all commodities increased by 3% for both with and without residuals from Q2 2024 to Q3 2024. Single stream increased by 2% while dual stream / source separated decreased by 5% for both with and without residuals as compared to last quarter.听
This is the 22nd quarterly report in NERC鈥檚 series of reports on the market value of commodities from MRFs in the Northeast. This report includes information from eleven states: Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia.
These survey results reflect the differing laws and collection options in the participating states. Four of the states included in this report have beverage container deposit laws.鈥疉s a result, fewer glass bottles, PET bottles and aluminum cans are processed in MRFs in those states. Those MRFs are also likely to have less revenue from those recyclables. In addition, the report reflects a mix of single stream, dual stream, and source separation to collect recyclables with single stream being the most common approach. The type of collection used will have an impact on MRF design and operation. Thus, the data from this report reflects the unique blend of facilities and statewide laws in the reporting states.
Residuals refers to the incoming material that cannot be marketed and goes to disposal. The value without residuals reflects the value of a perfect ton of marketed material, while the value with residuals reflects the value of each ton processed with the costs associated of disposing unmarketable material. Note: In many cases, recovered glass goes to market but at a negative value.听
This data is not intended to be used as a price guide for MRF contracts. NERC鈥檚 database represents single and dual stream MRFs, states with and without beverage container deposits, a wide variety in markets and geographic access to markets, and variety of materials collected for processing at the participating facilities.听 As a result, it represents the diversity of operating conditions in these locations and should not be used as a price guideline for a specific program.