Key takeaways
- Purity is the first driver: contamination triggers downgrades and deductions.
- Volume per pickup and regularity reduce the buyer's logistics cost, and buyers pay for that.
- Densification (baling, compacting) increases payload and price.
- Index-linked contracts protect you from opaque pricing.
- Competition between buyers is the most underused lever.
The six drivers
Driver
Effect
Action
Purity
Downgrades, deductions
Segregate at source
Volume per pickup
Transport cost per tonne
Consolidate, extend storage
Regularity
Buyer planning
Commit to monthly volumes
Densification
Payload per truck
Bale, compact
Distance and logistics
Transport share of price
Compare local buyers
Market index and terms
Base price and margin
Index-linked contracts
How to benchmark
- Collect 12 months of invoices and tickets.
- Compute net revenue per tonne per material.
- Compare with public indices where they exist and with two or three quotes.
- Fix the biggest gap first.
Wastetide
Benchmark in minutes, not weeks
Wastetide prices your materials against the market and flags the gaps on every invoice. Book a demo call.
FAQ
Why did our buyer downgrade our material?
Usually because of contamination or mixed grades. Ask for photos and weights for every downgrade, and put that requirement in the contract.