Pune Digital Kabadiwala: Recycling 10 Lakh Kg Waste and Championing Sustainable Living
In Pune, a trio of brothers has transformed the traditional scrap-collecting trade into a tech-driven, environmentally conscious social enterprise. With no external funding, their venture has recycled over 10 lakh kg of waste, built a ₹2 crore turnover, and championed sustainable living—all while creating dignified livelihoods for hundreds.
The journey began when software graduate Jayesh Pakhale, frustrated by recyclable waste being sent to landfills, used his pocket money to begin collecting scrap from neighbours and friends. He ensured proper weighing and recycling processes—an altruistic experiment that gradually revealed both a social need and a business opportunity. In 2019, Jayesh, his brother Ganesh (COO), and Vaibhav (CFO) formally launched Scrapdeal. With no external investment, their modest savings transformed into a 4,000 sq ft warehouse, a 30-person team, and an efficient collection fleet. Their vision was clear: build a self-reliant, community-focused recycling service free from middlemen.
The Scrapdeal app, designed to be as intuitive as a food-delivery platform, now serves over 500 housing societies across Pune. Users simply select recyclable categories, schedule pickups, and receive instant, on-the-spot payments based on weight. Fleet-wide electronic weighing and daily rate updates (such as ₹11/kg for newspapers) ensure transparency and fairness. This user-centric approach eliminates bargaining and builds trust—crucial currency when dealing with scrap. “Accuracy is everything,” notes Vaibhav, highlighting the importance of calibrated scales and honest transactions.
Collected waste is sent to accredited recyclers. Plastic is sorted and pelletised, paper is pulped, metals are remelted, e-waste disassembled, and even old clothes are reused or donated—all while maintaining a sustainable, closed-loop ecosystem. Remarkably, Scrapdeal has remained profitable from launch, refusing loans or VC funding. Today, it supports over 30 direct staff and more than 200 members of the informal recycling community. Its revenue of ₹2 crore reflects a model where environmental stewardship and economic viability go hand in hand.
To minimise carbon emissions and improve efficiency, Scrapdeal employs data analytics and optimised routing. The platform’s goal: make recycling as effortless as ordering dinner, and equally beneficial for the planet—“We want to become the Swiggy of recycling,” says Ganesh. With over 150,000 downloads and 90% user retention, Scrapdeal shows strong market traction. Future expansion plans include micro-warehouses in Mumbai, and entry into Nashik and Bengaluru. Technological innovations such as AI-powered sorting, carbon-footprint tracking, and municipal partnerships are also on the roadmap.
India generates over 62 million tonnes of waste annually, much of which is unprocessed. Scrapdeal’s grassroots approach highlights how decentralised, citizen-led solutions can fill systemic gaps. These local digital kabadiwalas are quietly pushing urban India toward cleaner, more equitable, and eco-friendly futures.
