Sourcing with a Conscience: How Lucro is Cleaning Up Waste Management, Responsibly

In India’s growing waste management sector, the road to sustainability must also be cleared of unethical practices, unsafe labor conditions, and environmental neglect. We believe that building a circular economy must not come at the cost of people or the planet. That’s why we’ve put responsibility at the core of our sourcing strategy—not just in what materials we collect and recycle, but how we do it, who we do it with, and under what conditions.

Why Responsible Sourcing Matters in Waste Management

India’s informal waste economy—vital as it is—has long been associated with exploitative practices. From child labour and unsafe working environments to untraceable waste streams and informal payments, the risks are real. Left unchecked, these practices threaten both human rights and environmental integrity.

Lucro’s response is proactive and uncompromising. We’ve developed a comprehensive Responsible Sourcing Policy that applies not just to our internal operations, but also to our vendors and suppliers.

Our Commitment: Lucro’s Responsible Sourcing Principles

At the heart of our policy is a simple but powerful belief: that a truly circular economy must be ethical, inclusive, and transparent. To that end, Lucro’s Responsible Sourcing Policy is built on seven pillars:

Good Labour Practices

We ensure that everyone working in our value chain is treated with respect, receives fair wages, and works under safe conditions. This includes our Safai Saathis—waste pickers who are often the first link in the recycling chain.

No Child Labour

We have a strict zero-tolerance policy against child labour. Every individual who works with Lucro must be of appropriate working age, verified through documentation and regular checks.

Business Integrity

We are committed to conducting business lawfully, ethically, and transparently, complying with all relevant local and national regulations.

Health & Safety

All our sourcing and processing operations are designed to prioritize health and safety—whether it’s through the use of protective gear, hygienic working conditions, or regular safety audits.

Traceability & Transparency

We track the origin of every material we source. From waste collection to recycling, every step is recorded using digital tools like Satma CE, ensuring a transparent and auditable chain of custody.

Avoid Unethical Practices

We do not tolerate illegal dumping, greenwashing, or any practice that harms communities or ecosystems. We actively monitor for such activities and blacklist any vendor found in violation.

Minimize Environmental Impact

Our operations are geared towards reducing our carbon and resource footprint. Whether it’s through optimized logistics, energy-efficient machinery, or data-backed material recovery, sustainability is always a priority.

Beyond Compliance

We help our suppliers grow into our policies, helping them along the way if need be. We believe that with the right support, even the smallest waste aggregator can become part of a responsible, circular future.

Continuous improvement is an expectation. All our vendors are expected to demonstrate progress towards compliance with our sourcing standards. And we keep track—through field visits. This is how we do business at Lucro.