Glass recycling in the UK: how it works, what can go in and what it is worth
Glass recycling means crushing used bottles and jars into small pieces, called cullet, and melting them to make new glass. Glass can be recycled again and again without losing quality. In the UK, 79.1% of glass packaging was recycled in 2024.
Glass recycling: key facts
| UK glass packaging recycled | 79.1% in 2024, or 1.76 million tonnes out of 2.22 million, according to Defra |
|---|---|
| Provisional rate for 2025 | 75.1% |
| Energy saved | Every 10% of cullet in a furnace cuts the energy needed by about 3% |
| Colours | Clear, green and amber. Glass sorted by colour is worth more |
| Deposit return scheme | Glass is not included in the scheme due in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland from October 2027 |
How is glass recycled?
- Collection. Glass comes from bottle banks, household collections and trade collections from pubs, restaurants and hotels.
- Sorting. Magnets and screens take out caps, lids and labels. Optical sorters remove ceramics and stones and separate the glass by colour.
- Crushing. The clean glass is crushed into cullet.
- Melting. Cullet is mixed with sand, soda ash and limestone and melted in a furnace at about 1,500 degrees Celsius.
- Forming. The molten glass is blown or pressed into new bottles and jars.
Glass that is too mixed or too dirty to melt is crushed for use as aggregate in road building. That recycles it only once, so keeping glass clean and sorted matters.
What glass can be recycled?
| Yes | No |
|---|---|
| Bottles of any colour | Drinking glasses and vases |
| Jars | Ovenware such as Pyrex |
| Other glass packaging, such as perfume bottles | Mirrors and light bulbs |
| Window glass, which has its own recycling route | |
| Ceramics and crockery |
The items on the right melt at different temperatures from bottles and jars. A small amount in a load can spoil a whole batch of new glass.
Glass recycling for businesses
Pubs, restaurants and hotels produce most trade glass. In England, the Simpler Recycling rules have required workplaces to keep glass out of general waste since 31 March 2025. Workplaces with fewer than 10 full time staff have until 31 March 2027. Wales requires glass to be collected on its own, and Scotland has required separate glass recycling since 2014.
Keeping glass out of general waste usually cuts the bill, because glass is heavy and general waste is the most expensive bin to empty. Window fitters and glaziers should use a flat glass recycler. If you have unused bottles or jars, sell them for reuse. They are worth far more whole than as cullet, and you can list them on our marketplace.
What is waste glass worth?
In July 2026 the average UK export value of glass cullet was £56 a tonne. That is low next to metal or plastic, so transport is the main cost.
Clear glass and glass sorted by colour earn the most. Mixed glass earns least. See the current glass prices, or read our guide on how to sell glass waste.
Glass recycling near me
Households can use a bottle bank or the council collection. Businesses need a licensed waste carrier that offers a glass collection.
Frequently asked questions
Can glass be recycled forever?
Yes. Glass does not lose quality when it is melted, so a bottle can be recycled into a new bottle again and again.
Why can window glass not go in a bottle bank?
Window glass, ovenware and drinking glasses melt at different temperatures from bottles and jars. Even a small amount can ruin a batch of new glass, so they are recycled separately.
Do I need to separate glass by colour?
Not usually. Most collections take mixed glass and sort it by machine. If you produce a lot of glass, keeping clear glass apart can earn a better price.
Is glass included in the deposit return scheme?
No. The scheme due to start in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland in October 2027 covers plastic drinks bottles and metal cans. Glass is not included.
Can broken glass be recycled?
Yes. Bottles and jars are crushed during recycling in any case. Wrap sharp pieces safely for the people who handle your waste.
How does glass recycling work?
Used glass is collected, sorted by colour, crushed into cullet and melted to make new bottles and jars. It can be recycled again and again without losing quality.