Glass recycling prices UK
Glass cullet averaged £56 per tonne in July 2026, down 3% on the month before and down 7% on a year earlier. These are average UK export values from HMRC. They show the market trend, and a dealer's offer for your material will be lower.
Glass recycling prices UK in July 2026
| Material | Jul 2026, per tonne | Month before | Change | A year earlier | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glass cullet | £56 | £58 | down 3.4% | £60 | down 6.7% |
Glass cullet, month by month
| Month | Average per tonne | Change | Tonnes exported |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | £56 | down 3.4% | 24,256 |
| June 2026 | £58 | up 18.4% | 27,102 |
| May 2026 | £49 | up 14.0% | 26,139 |
| April 2026 | £43 | down 10.4% | 19,839 |
| March 2026 | £48 | down 20.0% | 21,124 |
| February 2026 | £60 | up 27.7% | 26,327 |
| January 2026 | £47 | down 17.5% | 20,435 |
| December 2025 | £57 | down 26.9% | 28,393 |
| November 2025 | £78 | up 13.0% | 42,017 |
| October 2025 | £69 | up 46.8% | 36,924 |
| September 2025 | £47 | down 23.0% | 28,212 |
| August 2025 | £61 | up 1.7% | 43,462 |
| July 2025 | £60 | n/a | 40,311 |
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.
What affects the price you are offered
- Grade and cleanliness. Sorted, clean material earns the most.
- Quantity. Regular, larger loads earn better terms.
- Distance. Haulage comes out of the price.
Our guide explains the grades and how to prepare your material: Glass waste guide for businesses.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a tonne of glass worth?
Glass cullet averaged £56 per tonne in July 2026, based on HMRC export figures. That is the value of large, sorted loads ready for export, so the price offered to a business will be lower.
Is the price of glass going up or down?
In July 2026 glass cullet was down 3% on the month before and down 7% on a year earlier. Over the last 12 months it has ranged from £43 to £78 per tonne.
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. Use the figures to follow the market and to judge whether a quote is reasonable.
Does colour change the price of glass?
Yes. Clear glass usually earns more than amber or green, and mixed colour glass earns the least. HMRC figures cover all cullet together, so they show the overall trend.
Do recyclers pay for glass?
Rarely for small amounts. Glass is heavy and low in value, so most businesses pay for collection. Payment is more likely for large volumes of clean, colour sorted glass.
How often are these prices updated?
Monthly. HMRC publishes trade figures about six weeks after the end of each month, and this page updates automatically when new figures arrive.
More prices: Cardboard and paper prices, Plastic prices, Scrap metal prices, all prices.