# Material Scrap Value Calculator

> Work out what your production scrap is worth at the recycler’s price after handling costs, and how much of the original material cost it recovers.

Category: Manufacturing & packaging · Applies to: Worldwide · Last updated: 2026-10-29
Interactive calculator: https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/material-scrap-value-calculator

Scrap is worth its weight times the scrap price, minus handling and transport. Comparing that with what the material cost you shows how much money the waste really loses.

Also called: Scrap recovery calculator, Waste value calculator.

## Inputs
- Scrap weight (unit kg; default 1200)
- Scrap price per kg (default 0.12)
- Handling and transport cost (default 30; optional)
- Original material price per kg (default 0.80; optional)
- Currency

## Results
- Net scrap value
- Gross scrap value
- Original cost of that material
- Net loss on the scrap
- Share of material cost recovered

## Formula

```
Gross = kg × Scrap price;  Net = Gross − Handling;  Net loss = kg × Purchase price − Net
```

Where:
- Purchase price: what you paid per kg for the material

## Worked example
1. Gross = 1200 × 0.12 = 144; net = 144 − 30 = 114.
2. Material cost = 1200 × 0.80 = 960.
3. Net loss = 960 − 114 = 846; recovery = 114 ÷ 960 = 11.88%.

**Result:** 1200 kg of scrap brings in 114 net, but the material cost 960, so the waste loses 846.

## What the result means

The net loss is usually far larger than the scrap income, which is why reducing waste pays better than finding a better scrap buyer.

## Assumptions and limits
- Scrap is sold at a single price per kg.
- The labour and machine time spent on scrapped work is not included in the loss.

## Questions

### Should sorted scrap be priced separately?

Yes. Clean, sorted grades usually fetch more; run the calculator once per grade.

### What if handling costs more than the scrap is worth?

The net value turns negative, meaning disposal is a cost rather than income.

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Source: GM¹X CalcVerse — https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/material-scrap-value-calculator