How do I efficiently scrap junk?

Solution 1:

As mentioned by @Y U NO WORK, you can not scrap junk without dropping it and scrapping it through the workshop.

There are however a few ways to render this process less painful:

• You can scrap entire stacks of items. That way, for each type of item you want to carry, you only need to scrap once.

• You just leave the items in your workshop. They'll be scrapped automatically as needed.

Since your goal is to transport scrap from one place to the next, here are a few relevant solutions that aren't directly related to the question:

• Establish a Supply Line. Doing so allows you to auto-scrap junk from other workshops without needing to transport them yourself.

• Invest in the Strong Back perk. It requires 6 Strength and you'll need level 30 to master it, but once mastered you can fast travel even while overencumbered. Thus, item weight becomes essentially irrelevant.

Solution 2:

The only way to scrap junk is to destroy it in workshop mode. You can't scrap them in your inventory. But basically, you don't have to scrap items. You can simply place the junk in your workshop. Once you build something, the junk will be scrapped automatically if there is no actual component available.