Glass
Glass prices stayed largely flat in April, but there are indications that demand will increase and drive prices up from late April and into early May.
The price continues to be effected by the low price of virgin cullet.
View our more detailed glass price index here.
Metals
The metals market has shown renewed upward movement this month, with a number of grades recording price increases. This has been driven by continued strength on the LME, which has risen more significantly in recent weeks.
Despite this, the export market remains challenging, with subdued flows into Europe and reduced volumes moving into Asia, limiting wider trading activity. There are also ongoing concerns around relatively weak end-demand, which is tempering confidence in the sustainability of current price rises.
Steel cans prices have notably increased, indicating a modest recovery from the particularly low levels seen during the second half of 2025.
View our more detailed metal price index here.
Organics
Anaerobic digestion (AD) has stabilised somewhat this month following the increase in gate fees seen in March, which had been driven by operators preparing for the introduction of Simpler Recycling legislation UK. Prices for AD have since levelled out in April, although capacity within the AD network is beginning to tighten as more material comes into the system.
At the same time, rising fuel costs are starting to have a broader impact across the sector, pushing up gate fees across the board. This is adding upward pressure to overall processing costs.
View our more detailed organics price index here.
Textiles
The textile sector continues to face difficulties as the war in Iran continues.
The textiles sector has been particularly hard-hit by the war in the Middle East due to many export destinations being within the conflict zone or needing to transit through to end destinations such as Pakistan.
The sector has already been facing tough time due to the influx of low quality ultra-fast fashion, the creaming of good quality material through resale sites and charity shops, and disruption in end markets in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
View our more detailed textiles price index here.
Wood
The wood market has continued to face challenging conditions this period, although gate fees have decreased as the market transitions out of the winter period.
There has been a reduced outlet for waste wood due to high volume of material in circulation and offline plants. As a result, many operators are having to manage excess material with fewer disposal or processing options available.
However, strong demand over the winter period has helped to absorb a portion of the surplus material. This has led to a softening in gate fees.
View our more detailed wood price index here.
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