An old greenhouse can take up a large part of the garden long after it has stopped being useful. Cracked panes, a rusting frame or rotten timber make it unsafe, and many people simply do not know where to start. Greenhouse disposal is mostly a matter of separating the materials and sending each one to the right place. This guide explains how to deal with the glass, frame, panels and base safely and responsibly.
Safety First
Greenhouse glass is the biggest hazard. Panes can be thin and brittle, and older panes often crack as soon as the clips are removed. Before you start:
- Wear proper protection: thick work gloves, safety glasses, long sleeves and sturdy boots.
- Work on a dry, calm day. Wind can catch loose panes, and wet glass is slippery.
- Keep children and pets away from the area until every piece of glass has been cleared.
- Remove glass first, working from the roof down, before you touch the frame.
Our step-by-step guide on how to dismantle a greenhouse safely covers the dismantling process in more detail.
Disposing of Greenhouse Glass
Greenhouse glass is flat sheet glass, which is different from bottles and jars. It should not go in your household glass recycling bin. Instead:
- Check your local recycling centre. Many household waste recycling centres accept flat glass, but rules vary between councils, so check before you go.
- Wrap broken glass securely in thick cardboard or old blankets, tape it and label it clearly as broken glass, so nobody handling it is hurt.
- Keep whole panes intact where possible. Unbroken panes are safer to handle and may be useful to someone else.
Disposing of the Frame
Most modern greenhouses have aluminium frames, which are valuable and widely recyclable. Older greenhouses may have steel or timber frames.
| Material | Best Way to Dispose of It |
| Aluminium frame | Recycle at a recycling centre or a scrap metal merchant |
| Steel frame | Recycle as scrap metal |
| Untreated timber | Wood recycling at most recycling centres |
| Treated or painted timber | Check with your recycling centre, as it may be handled separately |
| Polycarbonate panels | Check locally; some plastics are not accepted everywhere |
| Concrete or brick base | Rubble, usually accepted in limited amounts at recycling centres |
Keep bolts, clips and glazing bars in a separate bag. They are small, sharp and easy to lose in the grass.
Can Someone Reuse Your Greenhouse?
Before anything goes to the tip, consider whether the greenhouse could have a second life. Aluminium greenhouses in reasonable condition are popular second-hand, especially with allotment holders and community gardens. Listing it on local selling or free-to-collect groups often finds a taker quickly, as long as they are willing to dismantle and collect it themselves, or you arrange for it to be dismantled first.
Do Not Forget the Base and the Ground
Once the greenhouse is gone, you will be left with its base. Timber and metal bases can be lifted and recycled, while concrete slabs and brick footings take more effort to remove. Check the area for broken glass, sharp clips and screws before you turn it back into lawn or a bed.
Using Someone Else to Take the Waste Away
If you pay someone to take away your greenhouse waste, make sure they are a registered waste carrier. In England, householders have a duty to take reasonable steps to ensure their waste is handled legally, and you can check a business on the Environment Agency’s public register of waste carriers. Be wary of anyone offering to take everything away with no questions asked and no paperwork.
Selling Your Home? Check Before You Remove It
If you are moving house, do not dispose of the greenhouse without checking your sale paperwork first. Sellers in England and Wales usually complete a fittings and contents form that lists what stays with the property, and garden structures such as greenhouses and sheds are often included. If you have told the buyer the greenhouse stays, removing it could cause a dispute. If you plan to take it or get rid of it, make that clear on the form and agree it with your buyer through your solicitor.
When to Call a Professional Team
Doing it yourself is possible for a small, sound greenhouse. A professional team makes more sense if the greenhouse is large, has many cracked panes, sits close to fences or paths where falling glass could cause damage, or if you do not have a way to transport the materials. A team with the right equipment can dismantle, load and remove everything safely, often in a single visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I put greenhouse glass in my recycling bin?
No. Greenhouse glass is flat sheet glass and should not go in household glass recycling. Check whether your local recycling centre accepts it.
2. Is an aluminium greenhouse frame recyclable?
Yes. Aluminium is widely recycled at recycling centres and scrap metal merchants.
3. How do I safely dispose of broken greenhouse glass?
Wrap it in thick cardboard or blankets, tape it securely and label it as broken glass before taking it to a recycling centre.
4. Can I give away an old greenhouse?
Often, yes. Aluminium greenhouses in reasonable condition are popular with allotment holders and community gardens.
5. Do I need a registered waste carrier to take it away?
If you pay someone to remove the waste, yes. Check they are registered with the Environment Agency.
Greenhouse Removal With Shaheen Express Removals
Shaheen Express Removals has been helping homeowners across St Albans, Hertfordshire and London for more than 20 years. Our fully insured, DBS-checked team dismantles, removes and disposes of glass, aluminium and timber greenhouses safely, and can relocate a greenhouse to your new home if you are moving. We are rated 5.0 from 444 Google reviews. Find out more about our greenhouse removal and disposal service. Call +44 7903 494502 or email shaheenexpressremovals@gmail.com for a free quote.