The average blended commodity value increased significantly in Q1 2026 compared to Q4 2025, rising 22.37% without residuals and 26.26% with residuals. Single stream values increased by 21.01% to $81.28 per ton without residuals and by 28.71% to $67.11 per ton with residuals. Dual stream values increased by 23.83% to $91.31 per ton without residuals and by 15.97% to $63.60 per ton with residuals.
NERC鈥檚 Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) Commodity Values Survey Report for January鈥揗arch 2026 reflects strengthening commodity values across the Northeast after several quarters of decline. Dual stream/source-separated MRFs continued to report higher average commodity values than single stream MRFs on a non-residual basis.
Individual commodities had higher prices during the quarter, except for Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), All Other Paper, and Brown Glass. Residue costs also increased during the quarter, making disposal more expensive. Participating MRFs may calculate residue costs differently.
The annual material percent composition update show an increase in the marketed outbound tonnages of clear glass containers, aluminum cans, and natural HDPE. Offsetting decreases included PET and polypropylene.
This is the 28th quarterly report in NERC鈥檚 ongoing series examining the market value of commodities marketed by MRFs in the Northeast. The report includes data from 19 MRFs representing twelve states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia.
These survey results reflect the varying laws and collection systems among participating states. Five of the states included in the report have beverage container deposit laws, resulting in fewer glass bottles, PET bottles, and aluminum cans being processed at MRFs in those states. Consequently, those facilities are likely to generate less revenue from those materials.
The report also reflects a mix of single stream, dual stream, and source-separated recycling systems, with single stream remaining the most common collection approach. Collection method impacts both MRF design and operations, meaning the data reflects the unique blend of facility types, statewide policies, and market access across the reporting region.
Residual refers to incoming material that cannot be marketed and must be disposed of. Values reported without residuals reflect the value of a perfect ton of marketed material, while values reported with residuals reflect the value of each ton processed after accounting for disposal costs associated with unmarketable material. In many cases, recovered glass is marketed at a negative value.
This data is not intended to serve as a price guide for MRF contracts. NERC鈥檚 database includes both single and dual stream MRFs, states with and without beverage container deposit laws, varying geographic access to markets, and differing material collection programs. As a result, the report reflects a broad diversity of operating conditions and should not be used as a pricing benchmark for any specific recycling program.