Recyclable Material Wholesalers NAICS 423930

Sep 9, 2025 - Stakeholders Outline Recycling System Best Practices

• Speakers at a recent conference of the Pennsylvania chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) emphasized that well-designed, audience-specific recycling systems are key to boosting participation and reducing contamination, according to Waste Dive. Tailoring programs to local realities—such as income levels, housing types, and waste stream composition—can improve outcomes, especially in multifamily buildings where bin placement and sizing often hinder recycling. Convenience centers with intuitive layouts and engineered bin designs help residents sort materials correctly. Landfill operators are urged to adopt creative diversion strategies to recover valuable recyclables and extend landfill lifespans.
• The recycling rates for paper and cardboard declined slightly in 2024 compared to the year before, according to the latest data from the American Forest & Paper Association (AFPA) and reporting by Resource Recycling. In 2024, the US recycling rate for paper was between 60% and 64% compared to about 65% to 69% in 2023. Over the same period, the recycling rate for cardboard slipped to between 69% and 74% from 71% to 76% in 2023. Despite the drop in recycling rates, US paper and paperboard mills increased their use of recycled fiber in 2024 by nearly 1.3 million tons to 32.7 million tons. A spokesperson for the AFPA said a change in methodology last year makes recycling rates more sensitive to trade flows. The rate is now a measure of recycling’s share of material available for recovery instead of how much recycled fiber mills consume. Recycling rates can vary more year-to-year as they mirror imports and exports of packaged goods.

• In August, prices for curbside recyclable materials continued to decline across most categories, according to RecyclingMarkets.net. The US average natural high-density polyethylene (HDPE) price fell 18.1% from July but rose 10.1% over August 2024. Prices for post-consumer PET bottles and jars dropped 43.7% month-over-month and were down 68.5% year-over-year. Color HDPE declined 28.1% from July and fell 71.4% compared to a year earlier. Polypropylene prices dipped 5.2% month-over-month and were down 20.5% year-over-year. Prices for old corrugated containers (OCC) used to manufacture new containers fell 3.6% from July and were down 36.3% from August 2024. Aluminum can prices declined 6.3% month-over-month but rose 3.3% year-over-year. Sorted residential paper prices dropped 4.5% from July and were down 38.2% compared to a year earlier.
• In a recent webinar hosted by the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and the National Stewardship Action Council, speakers said the industry needs more support from manufacturers, the media, and legislators to reduce waste stream risks, including fires and hazardous materials, according to Waste Dive. In recent years, products such as lithium-ion batteries and compressed gas cylinders have caused fires and injuries at material recovery facilities and in waste-hauling vehicles. Industry insiders suggest solutions include improved product designs and labeling, better end-of-life management, extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws, and more funding for community take-back programs and infrastructure. Several states have passed EPR laws that compel manufacturers to help fund efforts to safely recover hazardous materials, including paint, mercury thermostats, e-waste, and sharps.