Reimagining Waste: How Lucro Is Innovating to Increase the Value of Plastic Waste

A fact that many people don’t realize is that long before the word “circular economy” entered our vocabulary, recycling was already deeply embedded in India’s informal systems. Waste pickers, scrap dealers, and kabadiwalas were collecting, sorting, and repurposing all kinds of materials. It predated any global sustainability movements.

However, this ecosystem was largely undervalued and overlooked—and for a painful reason: the output of this recycling was never good enough. The granules made from recycled plastic were inconsistent, odorous, and weak. They became a filler in virgin plastic mixes—not the main ingredient. They were used to cut costs, not build quality. And in that, the industry remained stuck in the shadows—never the hero.

We wanted to change this narrative. We knew that if we wanted to bring dignity, scale, and sustainability to this sector, we had to do more than just recycle—we had to innovate.

Our goal when we began: Giving Recycled Plastic the Respect It Deserves

Our goal when we began was simple but bold: make recycled granules that are so high in quality that they can stand on their own. No compromises, just high-quality, high-performance recycled plastic that brands c[an proudly use—and consumers can trust.

We created a material science division with a vision to enable upliftment of waste to new potential. Our R&D team has worked tirelessly to develop 100% recycled granules of:

• rLDPE (Recycled Low-Density Polyethylene)
• rHDPE (Recycled High-Density Polyethylene)
• rPP (Recycled Polypropylene)

Each batch is rigorously tested to match virgin plastic in usability, consistency, and application strength. This made it possible for us to then manufacture packaging, films, and now send granules for rigid applications, made partly with granules from post-consumer waste—without compromising on quality.

We didn’t just stop at that. Other innovations put in place were:

Superior segregation

The quality of recycled granules is only as good as the quality of the waste that goes into them. Effective sortation is the foundation of high-performance recycling, which is why we meticulously segregate waste into over 15 categories, based on polymer types, colour, contamination levels, and end-use potential. This precision allows us to process each stream appropriately—maximizing material purity, improving processing efficiency, and ultimately producing recycled granules that are consistent and capable of replacing virgin plastic in various applications.

De-oiling before washing

Innovation has meant to sometimes rethink the basics. One of our proudest innovations is our dry wash system, which removes oil, food residue, and dirt before the waste even hits the water.

This is a game-changer for India, where waste is often contaminated with household and industrial oils. By cleaning the plastic dry—before water washing even begins—we reduce our water use, cut down on energy, and improve the quality of our input material dramatically.

De-inking and De-odorizing

In packaging, visual appeal and smell matter. That’s why made systems that remove surface printed ink allowing the recycled material to look clean and uniform.

We have also developed de-odorizing technologies to ensure that our granules are odor-neutral—so they’re ready to be used in applications where presentation and purity are non-negotiable.

Machines That Understand Plastic—And Its Potential

Our machine lines are custom-built by us and precisely calibrated to handle multiple plastic waste types that come from house-holds with care. We optimize every aspect of the recycling line—from shredding to extrusion to pelletizing—so the output is premium grade recycled plastic.

Today, Lucro’s granules and packaging made from these granules are being used by some of the most reputed brands and MNCs who are committed to sustainability and real post-consumer recycled content. These are not just filler materials anymore. They are the foundation of a circular economy.