City Guide — Kanpur
Recycling Business in Kanpur 2026: Scrap Rates, Leather Waste & Opportunities
Guide to recycling business in Kanpur — scrap rates, leather industry waste, tannery recycling, and how BIN is creating opportunities.
Last updated 14 April 2026
Recycling Business in Kanpur: Scrap Market, Rates & Opportunities (2026)
Kanpur generates approximately 2,000-2,800 tonnes of solid waste daily. Known as India's leather capital, Kanpur has unique waste streams from its tannery and leather goods industries, alongside standard municipal recycling opportunities.
Kanpur Scrap Market Overview
- Jajmau: India's largest tannery cluster — leather waste and chemical waste
- Panki Industrial Area: Metal and plastic scrap
- Fazalganj: Traditional scrap trading area
- Juhi/Swaroop Nagar: Residential scrap collection
Kanpur's leather industry creates unique recycling challenges and opportunities — tannery waste requires specialised processing, while leather offcuts are recycled into lower-grade products.
Scrap Rates in Kanpur (2026)
| Material | Rate Per Kg |
|---|---|
| PET bottles | Rs 10-13/kg |
| Mixed plastic | Rs 4-7/kg |
| Copper | Rs 535-680/kg |
| Aluminium | Rs 122-150/kg |
| Newspaper | Rs 11-13/kg |
| Cardboard/OCC | Rs 9-12/kg |
| Iron/steel | Rs 22-27/kg |
| Leather offcuts | Rs 5-15/kg |
Kanpur rates are below national averages due to limited local recycling infrastructure and lower economic activity compared to metro cities.
Recycling Infrastructure
Formal Facilities
- Jajmau Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) — handles tannery waste
- UPPCB-authorised facilities in Panki and surrounding areas
- Leather waste processing units in Jajmau
Informal Sector
- Estimated 15,000-25,000 waste pickers
- Leather waste sorting and informal recycling in Jajmau
- Strong kabadiwala network in residential and commercial areas
Unique Opportunities
- Leather waste recycling: Offcuts, shavings, and trim from tanneries
- Chemical container recycling: HDPE drums from tannery chemicals
- Growing consumer market: Rising e-commerce and FMCG penetration
- EPR compliance: Underserved market in UP
How BIN Is Working in Kanpur
- Above-market rates: Rs 15-25/kg for PET vs. local Rs 10-13/kg — a significant uplift
- Kirana collection points — kiranas earn Rs 1,500-6,000/month
- UPI payments and insurance for waste pickers
- EPR credits connecting Kanpur's collection to brand compliance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scrap rate in Kanpur today? PET: Rs 10-13/kg. Newspaper: Rs 11-13/kg. Copper: Rs 535-680/kg.
Is leather waste recycling a business opportunity in Kanpur? Yes. Kanpur's Jajmau cluster generates enormous leather waste. Offcuts are recycled into fibreboard, lower-grade leather goods, and fertiliser. This is a specialised but large market.
Related: Recycling Business Lucknow | Recycling Business Agra | Scrap Rates India
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