How is cardboard priced?
Per ton, with the price usually read from a monthly index such as Fastmarkets RISI's OCC (11), which is published as a range for nine US regions, FOB seller's dock, in dollars per short ton. Contracts then apply a spread, a percentage or both. Public examples: Steuben County, NY compared bids as "PPW OCC (11) Buffalo High" plus or minus a fixed amount; Boulder County, CO pays a percentage of "OBM SW High" minus $43.22. See public contracts, decoded.
What decides the tons?
Bale weight and count, the moisture deduction, any contamination deduction, and the ton definition. A mill specification such as Kruger's asks for bales of at least 660 lb and calls 1,760 lb the best weight, with a 40,000 lb minimum per truck. A denser bale fills a trailer to its weight limit, so each pickup carries more tons for the same freight.
What should I check each month?
- The index value used, and that it is the right region, side and month.
- A scale ticket per load, with net weight.
- Every moisture and quality deduction, with its reading and photographs.
- Freight and equipment lines, against the contract.
The settlement check template walks through it.
Should I sell on contract or spot?
A contract gives a dependable outlet and, with an index link, a market price. Spot sales let you take a strong month without sharing it. In mid-2026 one material recovery facility told Waste Dive its spot prices were running above its contract prices, which is the trade-off in one sentence. Some generators keep most volume on contract and test the market with the rest.
The clauses that matter most here
- § 3Index referenceWhich published price the formula reads, for which region, side of the range and month.
- § 9MoistureThe moisture limit, how it is measured, and how wet weight is deducted.
- § 8Contamination and rejectionWhat happens when a load misses the specification: downgrade, claim or rejection.
- § 10Weights, tickets and auditWhose scale sets the paid weight, what ticket you get, and your right to check.
- § 7Load minimumsThe minimum weight or count per pickup, and the charge for a light load.
Questions
- How much is a bale of cardboard worth?
- Bale weight in tons times your contract price per ton, less deductions. The price depends on the index for your region and month; this site publishes no prices, but the calculator does the arithmetic on yours.
- What is OCC #11?
- The standard grade of old corrugated containers in the ReMA Scrap Specifications Circular.