Scrap and recycling prices UK
Average UK prices per tonne for scrap metal, cardboard, paper, plastic and glass in July 2026, with the trend for each material. The figures are average export values from HMRC, so they show where the market is heading. A dealer's offer for your material will be lower.
Prices at a glance, July 2026
| Material | Jul 2026, per tonne | Month before | Change | A year earlier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper scrap | £7,728 | £8,023 | down 4% | £5,877 |
| Brass scrap | £6,409 | £6,993 | down 8% | £5,626 |
| Aluminium scrap | £1,930 | £1,865 | up 3% | £1,517 |
| Lead scrap | £1,470 | £1,536 | down 4% | £1,392 |
| Stainless steel scrap | £544 | £585 | down 7% | £316 |
| Steel scrap | £287 | £300 | down 4% | £248 |
| Cardboard | £119 | £120 | down 1% | £148 |
| White paper | £181 | £193 | down 6% | £230 |
| HDPE plastic | £261 | £306 | down 15% | £318 |
| LDPE plastic | £177 | £162 | up 9% | £217 |
| PET plastic | £223 | £211 | up 6% | £347 |
| Glass cullet | £56 | £58 | down 3% | £60 |
Prices by material
- Scrap metal prices UK
- Scrap copper prices UK
- Scrap brass prices UK
- Scrap aluminium prices UK
- Scrap steel prices UK
- Cardboard and waste paper prices UK
- Plastic recycling prices UK
- Glass recycling prices UK
How to read these figures
These are average values, not offers. HMRC records the value and weight of the scrap and recovered material that leaves the UK, and dividing one by the other gives a price per tonne.
- They reflect large, sorted loads that are ready for export.
- A dealer buying from your business will pay less, to cover collection, sorting and their margin.
- Use them to follow the direction of the market and to judge whether a quote is reasonable.
Register and list your material Read the selling guides
Frequently asked questions
Is this the price a dealer will pay me?
No. These figures are the average value of UK exports recorded by HMRC, which reflects large, sorted loads that are ready for export. A dealer buying from your business will offer less, depending on grade, quantity and distance.
Where do these prices come from?
From HMRC Overseas Trade Statistics. HMRC records the value and weight of the material exported from the UK each month, and we divide one by the other to give an average price per tonne.
How often are these prices updated?
Monthly. HMRC publishes trade figures about six weeks after the end of each month, and these pages update automatically when new figures arrive.