If you have old newspapers, cardboard, metal, plastic, bottles, wires, electronics or other recyclable materials sitting at home, one question usually comes first:

How much is my scrap worth?

Scrap prices in Kathmandu are not the same for every material, and there isn't one fixed rate for everything you hand over to a scrap collector. The final value depends on the type of material, its quality, weight, condition, contamination and current market conditions.

Understanding how scrap pricing works can help you prepare your materials properly and make your scrap collection more transparent.

What determines scrap prices in Kathmandu?

Several factors influence the amount you can receive for recyclable materials.

The most important are:

• Type of material
• Weight
• Quality and purity
• Condition
• Contamination
• Quantity
• Current market demand
• Whether the material requires additional sorting or processing

This is why two bags that look similar can sometimes receive different rates.

A clean collection of one material is easier to process than a mixed bag containing paper, plastic, metal and other waste.

Scrap rates can change over time

Scrap is part of a larger recycling and commodity market.

The value of materials such as copper, aluminium and steel can change depending on supply, demand, processing costs and broader market conditions.

Local scrap rates in Kathmandu can therefore change over time.

For this reason, a price you received several months ago may not necessarily be the current market rate.

If you're looking for the latest scrap prices in Kathmandu, check the current rates available from your collection service before arranging your pickup.

Which scrap materials usually have different values?

Different recyclable materials have different characteristics and therefore different values.

Copper scrap

Copper is a valuable recyclable metal and is commonly found in wires, cables, electrical equipment and other components.

However, not all copper-containing materials have the same value. Insulated wire, mixed cable and cleaner copper material can be treated differently depending on their composition.

Keeping different types of wire separated can make assessment easier.

Aluminium scrap

Aluminium can be found in cans, household items, frames, machinery and other products.

Its value depends on the type and quality of the aluminium and whether it is mixed with other materials.

Steel and iron scrap

Steel and iron are common sources of household and commercial scrap.

Old appliances, machinery, frames and other metal objects may contain steel or iron.

Because larger objects can contain multiple materials, some items may require inspection before their scrap value can be determined.

Paper and newspapers

Old newspapers, books, magazines and office paper can be collected for recycling.

Keeping paper dry and reasonably clean makes it easier to sort and process.

Cardboard

Old cartons, packaging boxes and cardboard are common household and business scrap materials.

Flattening large cardboard boxes and keeping them dry can make collection and storage easier.

Plastic

Plastic bottles, containers and other plastic products can have different values depending on their type, cleanliness and composition.

Separating plastic from other recyclable materials helps with sorting.

Glass

Glass bottles and containers can be separated from paper, plastic and metal before collection.

Different types of glass may have different recycling requirements.

Electronic waste

Old phones, computers, televisions, wires, batteries and other electronic equipment should be treated separately from ordinary household scrap.

E-waste can contain recoverable materials, but some items require inspection because their composition and condition vary significantly.

Read our guide to e-waste recycling in Kathmandu.

Why does clean and sorted scrap get better treatment?

Imagine two collections.

The first contains:

• Clean cardboard
• Dry newspapers
• Separated aluminium
• Separate copper-containing wires

The second contains:

• Wet cardboard
• Food-contaminated paper
• Plastic mixed with metal
• Wires tangled with other materials
• General household waste

Even if both collections weigh the same, they aren't equally useful.

Sorting reduces the amount of additional work required to separate materials.

That's why one of the simplest ways to prepare your scrap is to keep clearly different materials apart.

Does sorting scrap increase its value?

Sorting doesn't magically change the material itself, but it can make it possible to identify and price higher-value materials separately.

For example, a mixed bag of metal may contain aluminium, steel and other materials.

If everything is mixed together, assessing the individual materials becomes more difficult.

If you separate them beforehand, each category can be assessed more accurately.

This is particularly useful for metals because different metal types can have significantly different values.

Should you remove everything from your scrap?

Not necessarily.

You don't need to dismantle every appliance or spend hours preparing household scrap.

In many cases, simple sorting is enough.

Before your pickup, consider:

• Separating paper from plastic
• Keeping cardboard dry
• Separating obvious metal categories
• Keeping wires and cables together
• Keeping electronic items separate
• Removing obvious non-recyclable waste
• Keeping larger appliances accessible for inspection

Don't dismantle potentially hazardous or complex equipment just to try to increase its scrap value.

Why does moisture matter?

Water can add weight without adding recyclable material value.

Wet cardboard is a simple example.

A pile of dry cardboard contains mostly cardboard material. A pile of soaked cardboard contains cardboard plus water.

Keeping paper and cardboard dry therefore helps maintain their quality and makes storage and collection easier.

Similarly, containers containing oil, food residue or other contaminants may require additional handling.

The goal isn't to manipulate the weight. It's simply to ensure that the material you're offering is clean and suitable for recycling.

What does "inspection required" mean?

Some scrap items cannot be accurately priced from a photograph or a short description.

Large appliances are a good example.

A washing machine, generator or gas geyser may contain several different components and materials. Its value can depend on its condition, completeness and what can be recovered from it.

For these items, inspection allows the collector to assess the actual object before determining its value.

Kabad Sathi may therefore require inspection for certain larger appliances, electronic equipment and specialised scrap.

How to get a fair scrap price

You don't need complicated equipment to prepare your scrap.

A few simple steps can make the collection process easier:

1. Separate different materials

Keep paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, metal and e-waste in separate groups where practical.

2. Keep recyclable materials dry

Especially paper, newspapers and cardboard.

3. Keep valuable metals separate

Don't mix obvious copper or aluminium materials with general waste if you can easily separate them.

4. Keep electronic waste separate

Phones, computers, batteries, cables and other electronics should not simply be thrown into general scrap.

5. Make large items accessible

If you have a washing machine, generator, geyser or another large appliance, make sure the collector can inspect it easily.

6. Ask about the current rate

Scrap prices can change. If you're selling a significant quantity, ask for the current applicable rate rather than relying on an old price you found online.

How are scrap prices calculated?

For materials sold by weight, the basic calculation is straightforward:

Total value = weight × applicable rate

For example, if a material weighs 20 kg and the applicable rate is Rs. X per kg:

20 kg × Rs. X = Rs. 20X

The actual rate depends on the material and current pricing.

Some items are instead assessed individually or priced per piece, particularly certain electronics, appliances and other specialised materials.

Scrap prices in Kathmandu vs. different materials

There isn't one universal "scrap rate."

A better way to think about scrap pricing is by category:

Material	Common examples	Pricing considerations
Paper	Newspapers, books, magazines	Quality, dryness, weight
Cardboard	Boxes, cartons	Cleanliness, dryness, weight
Aluminium	Cans, aluminium items	Material type, purity, weight
Copper	Wires, cables, components	Copper content, insulation, condition
Steel	Appliances, frames, metal items	Type, weight, condition
Plastic	Bottles, containers	Type, cleanliness, composition
Glass	Bottles, containers	Type, condition, quantity
E-waste	Phones, computers, electronics	Device type, condition, recoverable materials

This is why a single price for "scrap" can be misleading.

How to sell scrap in Kathmandu

If you've accumulated enough recyclable material at home or at your business, you have several options.

You can transport the materials yourself to a scrap dealer, or you can arrange a doorstep scrap pickup in Kathmandu.

Doorstep collection is particularly useful when you have heavy, bulky or large quantities of material that are inconvenient to transport.

Kabad Sathi allows customers to arrange scrap collection from their doorstep, making it easier to clear accumulated recyclable materials without transporting everything yourself.

Read more about how our doorstep scrap pickup works.

Scrap collection for businesses in Kathmandu

Businesses can accumulate significant quantities of recyclable materials.

Offices may have:

• Old paper
• Cardboard
• Packaging
• Computer equipment
• Wires
• Electronic waste
• Old appliances

Shops and warehouses can also accumulate cartons, packaging materials, metals and other recyclable waste.

Regular scrap collection can help businesses clear storage space while directing recyclable materials toward appropriate recycling channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current scrap price in Kathmandu?

Scrap prices change according to material type, quality, quantity and current market conditions. There isn't one fixed rate for all scrap. Contact Kabad Sathi for the applicable current rate for your material.

What scrap has the highest value?

Materials such as copper and other valuable metals can have higher scrap values than common low-value materials, but the actual rate depends on material quality, purity, condition and current market prices.

Does old newspaper have scrap value?

Yes. Newspapers and other paper products can be collected as recyclable scrap. Their value depends on the applicable paper rate, quantity and condition.

Does sorting scrap increase the price?

Sorting doesn't guarantee a higher rate, but it can help separate higher-value materials from lower-value or mixed scrap and make accurate assessment easier.

How is scrap calculated?

Materials sold by weight are generally calculated using their measured weight and the applicable rate for that material. Some items may instead be assessed individually.

Can I sell scrap from my home in Kathmandu?

Yes. You can arrange a doorstep scrap collection if the service is available for your location.

Can businesses arrange scrap collection?

Yes. Offices, shops and other businesses can arrange collection for accumulated paper, cardboard, metal, electronic waste and other recyclable materials.

Get your scrap collected from your doorstep

Don't let old newspapers, cardboard, metal, electronics and other recyclable materials continue taking up space.

Separate what you can, keep recyclable materials clean and dry, and arrange a doorstep scrap pickup in Kathmandu with Kabad Sathi.

Schedule a Scrap Pickup