Recycling Markets
Waste.net may assist your endeavors to Find a Market for waste, by-products and scrap commodities across all types of materials, by providing direct access to recycling market participants and connections to potential trading partners resulting in a successful recycling outcome and maximized waste diversion.

By spreading an understanding of the prevailing market dynamics that exist in the waste materials recycling industry, it is our hope that an increased awareness of recycling markets may collectively optimize Environmental Sustainability efforts.

Types of Waste Materials
To assist in navigating through a maze of waste we have divided the types of materials into two groups, Metallic Materials or scrap metals and Non-Metallic Materials. Each of the materials has its own specific market dynamics that drive the success of recycling efforts.

Sources of Waste Material
There are several industries or sources that generate complex waste streams that contain a mix of Metallic Materials and Non-Metallic Materials. Understanding the different streams of materials can assist in waste diversion efforts.

Waste Material Conversion
For any complex materials that are not sortable or directly recyclable, a process of Waste Material Conversion is required to achieve recovery. Adoption of the 4 R's Strategy whittles the waste stream down to determine the best resource recovery method. Any number of recovery Processes may be employed for different waste streams.

Waste & Recycling Information
For anyone seeking current information or research data on the waste and recycling industry, you may access and ask your Recycling Questions to a core group of experienced and knowledgeable recycling industry professionals.

Recycling Market Dynamics
There are two basic types of markets that determine the overriding dynamics of how the recycling market functions; centralized and de-centralized markets.
Mill driven markets have natural commodity champions whereas decentralized commodities are orphaned in respect to the recycling end of the supply chain.

Centralized Markets
Centralized Markets function from large regionalized buyers which tend to be dominant in a localized geographic area and the overall market is determined as the supply and demand factors interact between regional buyers. Examples of traditional centralized markets are Paper Mills, Steel Mills, Metal Refiners.

De-Centralized Markets
De-Centralized Markets operate largely on a transactional basis between the buyers and sellers and have no direct controlling factors so market prices tend to vary widely depending on the aggressiveness of buyers. Examples of de-centralized markets are Plastics, Rubber and Textiles.

In a linear economy a chain of resource extraction, manufacturing, distribution, consumption and end of life disposal has been typically practiced, where ownership of the resource changes hands at each step in the chain. At the end of the line there is no one that claims ownership (orphaned) and therefore no one assumes responsibility for the end of life liability.
Check-out some other Recycling Economic factors.

Market Participants
An overview of the stakeholders or participants that comprise a functioning marketplace include a healthy balance of players.


Generators
Any business or individual, which encompasses anyone who generates scrap, waste or by-products is considered a generator.


Hybrid Generator
An intermediary that consolidates scrap, waste or by-products from primary generators may be considered a Hybrid Generator. Material Recovery Facilities MRFs, Resource Recovery operations and small collection depots that aggregate recyclable materials fall into this categorization. Hybrids, by definition, have ongoing supply of materials that require consistent flow or movement into markets. Unlike dealers that both buy and sell materials, Hybrids typically are only sellers.


Peddler Trade
Scrap peddlers or collectors of scrap, waste or by-products that accumulate or acquire from generators, typically unsorted or unprocessed materials for the resale to dealer yards or processors. The peddler trade sometimes referred to as scrappers, can range from do it yourself (DIY) hobbyists, individuals as a side hustle, to part or full time entrepreneurial ventures.
The Peddler Trade is an intracle part of the informal economy.


Scrap Dealers
Scrap yards or recycling depots that are in the business of consolidating scrap, waste or by-products from generators, peddlers and dealer networks. Scrap Dealers typically buy or accept scrap materials over-the-scale delivered to their yards.


Scrap Processors
Many scrap dealers are also processors involved in the conversion of scrap, waste or by-product materials into a quality specified commodity. The processes range from sorting and packaging and may include shredding or size reduction or other more technical procedures.


Secondary Commodity Brokers
The brokerage function is critical to insure the orderly flow of commodity to provide balance in fluctuating supply and demand requirements. Fulfilling delivery of large mill orders consisting of multiple truck loads in a timely on demand fashion. A strong brokerage infrastructure provides liquidity throughout the supply chain and helps manage market disruptions.


Secondary Commodity Consumers
Circular Commodity Consumers are typically viewed as the end user of a secondary commodity as a raw feedstock which they convert into a product. Commodity Consumers may include paper mills, steel mills, metal refineries and industries that use secondary commodities as a raw material as feedstocks.

Recycling Market Structure
When developing a strategy for the sale or outlet for your end products there are a number of factors to consider. Implementing a stable resilient approach with the most flexible options and the least risk is desirable.

Generic Market Pathways
Developing a Highest & Best Use scenario that takes advantage of each grade of the material as they become market ready at different stages in the recovery processing process.

Multiple Market Outlets
Assessing and utilizing as many viable alternative Options and market outlets as possible. This may reinforce potential market stability especially if these outlets are engaged in totally different industry segments. As market supply and demand trends change, one industry outlet may assist in supporting the weakness in an other segment adding an overall resilience in your market strategy.

Default Market
Establishing a Default market that may act as a Bulk Consumption Method that has the flexibility to absorb any and all supply as it becomes available.

It is important, in a reverse supply chain, that you develop multiple diverse options to insure the orderly movement of your output materials. You must always be aware of the risks associated with and the dangers of single market outlets especially in regards to business and geopolitical factors that are beyond your control.
A strong and healthy market strategy allows for the ability to function like an accordion to expand or contract up or down the supply chain as market conditions dictate.

Secondary Commodities
The value of secondary commodities fluctuates with the current market supply and demand of factors both virgin and recycled materials and can be greatly effected by geo-political conditions. Values can also vary widely according to the grade and specification of the individual commodity.

Market Volatility
When volatile conditions disrupt the stability of established business relationships, you may find a market, right now, today, for your commodities and secondary materials. Connect with current and immediate spot market buyers and sellers in individual market segments as a solution for market interruptions.

Market Trends
Track daily market trends for waste material markets and secondary commodities. The Secondary Commodity Index has decreased 2.97% in the last 30 days, and the Resource Conversation Index is down 0.01%.

Secondary Commodity Composite Index
The Secondary Commodity Composite Index tracks market price trends across 11 recycling industry sectors by capturing a daily snapshot of spot market prices and allows you to freely take a quick view of the past 7, 30, 90 days and 1 & 2 year trends.

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