PET Bottle Scrap Rate in India (2026): Current Prices and Where to Sell

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) bottles are one of the most valuable and widely traded scrap materials in India. Used for packaging water, soft drinks, cooking oil, and other beverages, PET bottles have a well-established recycling chain that converts post-consumer bottles into rPET flakes and pellets used in textiles, packaging, and construction.

Here is what PET bottles are worth at every stage of the value chain in 2026.

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PET Bottle Scrap Rate Table (2026)

Key insight: A kilogram of PET bottles that a waste picker sells for Rs 14-15 eventually becomes rPET pellets worth Rs 75-102. The value multiplication across the chain is nearly 7x.

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What Determines PET Bottle Scrap Rates?

Virgin PET Resin Prices

PET scrap rates track virgin PET resin prices, which are linked to crude oil and paraxylene costs. When virgin resin is expensive, demand for recycled PET increases, pushing scrap rates higher.

Colour and Cleanliness

Clear/transparent PET bottles command the highest prices. Coloured bottles (green, blue, brown) sell for 15-30% less. Contaminated or food-residue bottles may be rejected or discounted.

Seasonal Demand

Summer months (March-June) see higher PET bottle generation due to increased beverage consumption, which can temporarily depress collection prices due to oversupply. Conversely, monsoon season can reduce collection volumes, pushing prices up.

EPR and Credit Demand

EPR compliance requirements from brands create additional demand pull for verified PET collection, adding a premium above pure material value. Plastic credits at 121% CAGR are further boosting demand.

Export Policies

Government policies on PET scrap exports affect domestic prices. Export restrictions tend to increase domestic supply and reduce prices, while relaxed export policies can push domestic prices higher.

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PET Bottle Value Chain Explained

From Bottle to Fibre: The Journey

1. Collection: Waste pickers gather PET bottles from streets, bins, dumps, and households. Average collection: 5-15 kg per picker per day.

2. Sorting and Aggregation: Kabadiwallas sort by colour and quality, compress into bales. The markup from picker to kabadiwala is approximately 70%.

3. Washing and Flaking: Recyclers wash, shred, and convert PET into flakes. Clean PET flakes sell for Rs 55-80/kg depending on colour and grade.

4. Pelletising: Flakes are melted and extruded into rPET pellets at Rs 75-102/kg. These pellets are the input for textile fibre, new bottles (food-grade rPET), strapping tape, and sheets.

The Middleman Markup Problem

From waste picker to recycler, PET passes through 2-3 intermediaries, each adding a 25-70% markup. The total middleman markup from picker to recycler is 40-130%. This is a structural inefficiency that platforms like BIN are designed to address.

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Where to Sell PET Bottles for the Best Price

Option 1: Local Kabadiwala

• Rate: Rs 12-15/kg
• Pros: Convenient, immediate cash, no minimum quantity
• Cons: Lowest rate, no transparency on pricing

Option 2: Online Scrap Platforms

• Rate: Rs 14-20/kg
• Pros: Better rates, digital payment, scheduled pickup
• Cons: Minimum quantity requirements, limited city coverage

Option 3: BIN Collection Points

• Rate: Rs 15-25/kg
• Pros: Best rates for pickers, instant UPI payment, insurance benefits, no middleman
• Cons: Available in select cities (expanding rapidly)

Option 4: Direct to Recycler

• Rate: Rs 30-50/kg (baled)
• Pros: Highest material rates
• Cons: Requires large volumes (500 kg+), baling equipment, transport logistics

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Tips for Getting the Best PET Scrap Rate

1. Sort by colour: Separate clear, green, and coloured bottles. Clear PET commands a 20-30% premium.
2. Remove caps and labels: Clean bottles with caps removed are graded higher.
3. Compress and bale: If you have volume (100 kg+), compressed bales fetch better rates than loose bottles.
4. Sell in bulk: Accumulate to at least 50-100 kg before selling for better negotiating power.
5. Check daily rates: PET prices fluctuate — sell when rates are up. BIN's rate tracker can help.
6. Choose the right buyer: Compare kabadiwala rates with platform rates. A Rs 2-3/kg difference adds up over hundreds of kilograms.

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PET Recycling Market in India

India has one of the highest PET collection rates globally, with an estimated 70-80% of PET bottles being collected for recycling. However, this collection is overwhelmingly driven by the informal sector — millions of waste pickers for whom PET bottles are a primary income source.

The Indian rPET market is growing, driven by:

• EPR mandates requiring brands to recycle their packaging
• Plastic credits growing at 121% CAGR
• Textile demand for recycled polyester fibre
• Food-grade rPET approvals for bottle-to-bottle recycling
• Cost advantage of rPET over virgin PET in many applications

India produces 47.76 million tonnes of recyclable waste annually but has capacity for only 19.64 million tonnes — the recycling gap represents both a challenge and an opportunity.

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How BIN Improves PET Bottle Economics

BIN (Brands In Nature) directly addresses the middleman markup problem in PET bottle recycling:

• Pays pickers Rs 15-25/kg versus the market rate of Rs 14-15/kg
• Instant UPI payments — no waiting, no cash disputes
• Insurance coverage for registered waste pickers
• Kirana collection points — neighbourhood stores earn Rs 1,500-6,000/month as micro-collection hubs
• EPR credit generation — every kg collected through BIN generates traceable credits for brand compliance

By connecting pickers directly to recyclers and brands, BIN reduces intermediary layers and ensures more value reaches the people doing the actual collection work.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PET bottle scrap rate today? As of April 2026, PET bottle scrap rates at the retail/picker level are Rs 12-15/kg. Kabadiwala rates are Rs 24-25/kg. Recycler input rates are Rs 40-50/kg. These rates fluctuate daily based on virgin PET prices and market demand.

How many PET bottles make 1 kg? Approximately 25-35 standard 500ml PET bottles make 1 kg, depending on bottle weight. Larger 1-litre bottles may take 15-20 to make 1 kg.

Is PET bottle collection profitable? Yes. A waste picker collecting 10-15 kg of PET bottles daily can earn Rs 150-375 per day from PET alone. Through BIN, this increases to Rs 150-375+ with additional insurance and financial inclusion benefits.

What is the difference between PET and other plastic scrap? PET (code #1) commands the highest price among common plastic types because it is easy to recycle into high-value products. HDPE (#2) and PP (#5) are also recyclable but typically fetch lower rates (Rs 12-25/kg). Mixed or contaminated plastics (#3, #6, #7) have much lower value.

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Scrap rates are indicative and vary by city, quality, and market conditions. For real-time rates in your area, check BIN's scrap rate tracker or visit your nearest BIN collection point.

Related: Plastic Scrap Rate India | Recycling Business India | Aluminium Scrap Rate