What Is Your Scrap Worth? A 2026 Guide to Scrap Rates

"Kitne ka hai?" — the oldest question in Indian scrap dealing. The honest answer: it depends on the metal, the grade, and what the world market did this week. Here's how to read the number.

Indicative household rates (2026)

These are ballpark ranges for clean, household-grade material. Final price depends on grade and location.

• Iron / steel (utensils, grills, rods) — the volume king; steady, dependable value
• Copper (wires, old pipes) — the highest earner in most homes; keep it separate from brass
• Aluminium (vessels, window frames) — light but valuable; remove steel handles first
• Brass (taps, pooja items) — sits between copper and iron in value
• Newspaper & cardboard — low per-kg, high per-home; dry it for the best price
• Plastic bottles — modest value, major environmental win

What moves the price

1. Global commodity markets — London metal indices set the tone within days
2. Grade & purity — a clean copper wire bundle beats a mixed tangle every time
3. Local demand — cities with active foundries and recyclers pay more

A kilo of mixed scrap is worth about the same as a kilo of sorted scrap — until a recycler has to sort it for you. That labour shows up in your price.

Sort first, earn more

Five minutes of separation routinely adds 15–20% to a household payout. See our recycling tips for the exact method.