PET Bale and Regrind Prices Reach a Historic Low in 2025
Prices for recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) across U.S. markets have declined sharply over the past year, while virgin PET values showed less dramatic movements, according to the latest Global Recycled Plastics Weekly Report from PetroChem Wire by OPIS.
Mixed color (MC) curbside PET bales FOB East of the Rockies averaged 7cts/lb in the first week of October, down 68% from 21.75cts/lb a year ago. Over the past 12 months, prices ranged from a high of 22.25cts/lb on Oct. 10, 2024, to a low of 1ct/lb on Aug. 21, 2025.
The sharp price decline coincided with an increase in bale generation at material recovery facilities (MRFs), where higher volumes of PET containers were collected compared to previous years.
Expanded curbside recycling participation further boosted supply in the East of the Rockies region, while demand from reclaimers and end users remained limited. The combination of elevated supply and weak buying interest contributed to historically low bale prices during the summer.
Recycled PET MC regrind delivered east of the Rockies averaged 9cts/lb in the first week of October, down 64% from 25cts/lb a year earlier. Prices reached a high of 26cts/lb on Oct. 3, 2024 and a low of 7cts/lb on Aug. 14, 2025 amid increasing supply and lack of demand.
PET bale prices have mounted a recovery from the summer lows. PET MC curbside bales have increased from a historic low of 1ct/lb in August to 7cts/lb by Oct. 9, marking a 6cts/lb rise over a two-month period.
rPET MC regrind values have also recovered, climbing from 7cts/lb in mid-August to 9cts/lb in October.
Market participants told OPIS that the modest rebound aligned with reduced bale inventories and steady downstream buying activity as processors prepared for year-end production needs.
Compared with recycled material, prime virgin PET has seen relative price stability over the past year, ranging from a high of 69cts/lb for railcar delivery on Oct. 3, 2024, to a low of 50cts/lb on Aug. 21, 2025. Prime PET prices were assessed at an average of 62.5cts/lb for the first full week of October, down 8% from a year earlier.
–Reporting by Brian Esparza, besparza@opisnet.com; Editing by David Barry, dbarry@opisnet.com