Plastics Extrusion - Pipe, Film & Profile worked example

Trim Scrap Cost at 72% recoverable cost fraction: a worked example in plastics extrusion - pipe, film & profile

This worked example runs the trim scrap cost numbers for a tougher week than the baseline: 72% recoverable cost fraction instead of the typical 100%. Estimate the cost of edge trim, slitter trim, or start-up scrap from scrap weight, resin cost, capture factor, and fixed handling cost.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Trim and start-up scrap weight: 350 lb (held at the documented default)
  • Resin material cost: 1.45 $/lb (held at the documented default)
  • Recoverable cost fraction: 72 % (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 100)
  • Fixed scrap handling charge: 75 $ (held at the documented default)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Trim Scrap Cost = trim and start-up scrap weight × resin cost × cost capture factor + fixed scrap handling cost.
  • Trim scrap cost works out to 440 $ at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Cost per scrap pound works out to 1.26 $ / lb at these inputs.
  • Captured resin scrap cost works out to 365 $ at these inputs.
  • Fixed handling cost works out to 75 $ at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where recoverable cost fraction sits at 100% and the headline result is 583 $, this scenario comes in 24.39% below the baseline at 440 $.
  • Use it when costing a job, comparing scrap between products or lines, or building a business case for a scrap-reduction project. A result at this level usually justifies acting on the stressed input before touching anything else, because every other figure in the table is downstream of it.

Results at a glance

  • Trim scrap cost: 440 $ (headline result)
  • Cost per scrap pound: 1.26 $ / lb
  • Captured resin scrap cost: 365 $
  • Fixed handling cost: 75 $

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Trim Scrap Cost calculator, set recoverable cost fraction to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.