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WRAP's Market Snapshot provides an overview of recent developments in recovered material markets.

Key points

  • Mixed paper and board prices fell over 80% during the first quarter and OCC prices by 50% while LDPE 98:2 film prices have stabilised albeit at low levels
  • Feedback from Local Authorities suggests that at present only a few are reporting stockpiling of mixed paper among their contractors
  • Charity shop textile prices rose by 7% in Q1 2018 to £455 per tonne taking year to date gains to 24%

The markets for recovered paper and plastic continued to be volatile during early 2018 on uncertainty over the impact of China’s restrictions on the import of certain recovered materials.

The main markets affected by the restrictions have been mixed paper and board, OCC, LDPE film and mixed rigid plastics. While exports have been diverted to other destinations for recycling, including Malaysia, Vietnam, Turkey, India and Indonesia, the price of the affected materials has dropped sharply.

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  • WRAP Market Snapshot March 2018

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