It's the question we get asked more than any other. A demolition contractor strips out a flat conversion, a fabricator clears a year of offcuts from the corner of the workshop, a homeowner has just had every window in the house replaced — and they all want to know the same thing. What is this stuff actually worth?
The honest answer is: it depends. Scrap uPVC isn't priced like a packet of biscuits — there's no fixed rate per tonne pinned to a wall. The price moves week to week, and what you get for your load depends on five factors that we'll walk through in detail below.
The short version
Clean, deglazed, white uPVC frames in trade volumes (1 tonne or more) attract the best per-tonne rates. Mixed coloured loads, glazed frames, smaller volumes, and contaminated material are all worth less per tonne — but still worth something. We pay for all quantities and arrange free collection on top, which alone can save you £250–£400 in skip hire costs.
For a current quote on your specific material, tell us what you've got and we'll come back within the hour.
The five factors that drive scrap uPVC prices
1. Volume
This is the single biggest factor. The economics of recycling uPVC favour scale — once a lorry is on the road, the per-tonne handling cost drops sharply with bigger loads. That saving gets passed back to you in the form of higher per-tonne rates.
As a rough guide:
- Under 1 tonne — domestic scale, single-house clearances. We pay for it but rates are at the lower end of the scale.
- 1–5 tonnes — the trade sweet spot. Most installers and small fabricators land here, and rates are competitive.
- 5+ tonnes — bulk territory. Best per-tonne rates, priority collection, and on-site containers available for ongoing arrangements.
2. Condition (glazed vs deglazed)
Frames that still have glass attached cost us more to process — there's an extra deglazing step at the recycling facility, plus the glass itself adds weight that doesn't pay. Frames that arrive already deglazed go straight into the shredder, which is why they command a price premium.
That said, we accept glazed frames every day. If deglazing on-site isn't practical, just tell us when you request a quote and we'll price the load accordingly. Don't assume "glazed = no good" — it's still worth selling.
3. Colour
White uPVC is the most valuable scrap because the recycled granules can go back into a wider range of products. Coloured frames — anthracite grey, rosewood, woodgrain foils, cream — are still recyclable, but the recycled material has fewer downstream uses, so it's priced lower.
If your load is mixed, that's fine. We sort and grade material at the yard. You don't need to separate it before collection.
4. Contamination
"Contamination" sounds dramatic but it just means anything in the load that isn't uPVC. Common culprits:
- Glass shards still attached to deglazed frames
- Steel reinforcement inside frame chambers (this is normal and easily separated)
- Hardware, hinges, locks, handles (also fine, sorted at the yard)
- Wood, plastic packaging, mixed building waste
The first three are routine and don't significantly affect price. The last one — mixed building waste in among the frames — does. Keep your scrap uPVC separate from general builder's rubbish and you'll get a better rate.
5. Market demand
The recycled uPVC market moves with the cost of virgin uPVC, demand from window manufacturers, and broader plastics recycling economics. Prices in 2026 have been more stable than the volatility we saw in 2022–2023, but week-to-week movement of 5–10% is normal.
This is why we don't publish a fixed price list. The number we'd give you today might not be the number we'd give you in three weeks. Always call for a current rate.
Want a price for what you've got? Tell us material type, approximate volume, condition and your postcode — we'll come back within the hour with a current rate and a free collection slot.
Get my scrap price →How to get the best price for your scrap uPVC
If you want to maximise what you get paid, here's the practical advice:
- Bulk up if you can. If you're a regular installer doing a few jobs a month, accumulating scrap on-site or in a yard until you have a full load makes a real difference to per-tonne rates. We can supply containers for fabricators who do this regularly.
- Keep it separate. Don't dump uPVC frames into a mixed waste skip with timber, plasterboard and packaging. Keep it clean and you keep its value.
- Deglaze if it's quick. If you've got a job where the glass is already loose or the frames are damaged, deglazing takes minutes and pushes you up the rate card. If it'll take an afternoon for a small load, it's not worth it.
- Get multiple quotes. Not all scrap buyers are equal. Some have higher overheads, some have better processing partnerships, some are paying just to fill quotas. Ask around.
What to expect when you call
When you contact us for a quote, we'll ask the same questions every time: material type (frames, doors, offcuts), approximate volume in tonnes or cubic metres, condition (glazed/deglazed, colours, contamination), and your postcode for the collection logistics. We'll come back inside an hour with a price and a collection window.
No obligation. If our number doesn't beat the others, you don't have to sell to us.