ScrapUncle: Innovative On-Demand Recycling Platform Secures Rs 22 Crore Funding

ScrapUncle, an on-demand recycling platform, has raised Rs 22 crore (around $2.4 million) in a pre-Series A funding round, co-led by Orios Venture Partners and Acumen Fund. This funding round also saw contributions from Upaya Social Ventures, Venture Catalysts, We Founder Circle, Soonicorn Ventures, and angel investor Bharat Jaisinghani. Notably, the startup appeared on Shark Tank India Season 2, where it secured a deal with Amit Jain for Rs 60 lakh in exchange for 5% equity, in addition to raising Rs 3.2 crore during its seed funding round from multiple investors.

Utilisation of Funds for Expansion

The freshly acquired capital will be utilised to strengthen its operations in the Delhi NCR region, aim for Rs 100 crore in annual recurring revenue, and establish a framework for expanding the app to other metro areas, as stated by ScrapUncle in a recent press release.

About ScrapUncle

Founded in 2019 by Mukul Chhabra, ScrapUncle is a platform that allows both households and businesses to schedule pickups of e-waste, paper, metals, cartons, plastics, textiles, and even end-of-life vehicles, with a primary focus on household collection. Users can conveniently book pickups through the app or website and receive transparent payments.

Technological Innovations and Operations

This Delhi-based startup operates a consumer app designed for waste collection, complemented by a proprietary technology stack that includes digital tagging, logistics management, traceability, and inventory control across the recycling supply chain. ScrapUncle employs a vertically integrated model, which enables it to maintain comprehensive control over the waste value chain. All materials collected from users are directed to its warehouses, operating similarly to e-commerce fulfillment centres.

Responsible Recycling Practices

The collected waste is sorted, processed, and forwarded to authorised recyclers, ensuring environmentally responsible recycling with complete traceability. By overseeing its collection infrastructure, ScrapUncle optimises service quality while providing stable and predictable incomes for collectors. This approach comes along with structured training, safety protocols, and respectful working conditions, thereby modernising a traditionally informal sector.

Achievements

ScrapUncle proudly claims to have completed over 300,000 pickups, recycled more than 20 million kilograms of waste valued at over Rs 45 crore, recorded nearly 350,000 downloads of its app, and empowered close to 200 informal workers.

Market Competition

The startup faces competition from other players such as The Kabadiwala and RecycleBaba, among others.