Sonoco values used paper cores with the Tube & Core Scrap Return Subscription Service


Sonoco, one of the largest global diversified packaging companies, today announced its Tube & Core North America division will implement a tube and core scrap return subscription service, effective July 1, 2020.

The subscription service is voluntary and will only be in effect if a customer chooses to return scrap tubes and cores to a Sonoco supplying facility. For many years, Sonoco offered this service at no cost to customers, however fluctuations in the value of the returned materials, along with the rising costs of labour, freight and other processing costs, required leadership to review this valuable offering.

“Due to the recent experience with OCC volatility, Sonoco discovered that the value of our OCC bales was well below the processing costs associated with it,” said Mike Thompson, Director – Sales & Marketing, Tubes and Cores – US/ Canada. “Sonoco, along with many other recyclers, has determined the necessity to set a protocol to manage costs with such a volatile commodity moving forward.”

When OCC is at or above USD 90 per ton, Sonoco will continue to offer a core scrap return program with no fees. However, when OCC values drop below USD 90/ton, a fee of USD 95 will be added to each invoice for new tube and core shipments. At the point when OCC again increases over the threshold of USD 90 per ton, the service fee will be removed.