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Vendor Evaluation Checklist (Due Diligence)

Status: Recommended for all Bulk Waste Generators
Parent Category: Compliance Tools
Related Pages: EBWGR Compliance Guide | Fines and Penalties Calculator

1. Why Vet Your Vendor?

Under the "Chain of Custody" clause in the SWM 2026 rules, your responsibility does not end when the truck leaves your gate. If your vendor dumps your waste in a vacant lot, YOU (the generator) will be fined, not just the truck driver.
Use this checklist to audit any waste management agency before signing a contract.

2. Statutory Compliance (The "Must-Haves")

If they cannot produce these documents, do not hire them.

  • SPCB Authorization: Valid "Consent to Operate" (CTO) from the State Pollution Control Board specifically for Solid Waste Processing (not just general business).
  • GST Registration: Active GSTIN (essential for the audit trail).
  • Labor Compliance: ESIC/PF registration for their staff (protects you from labor liability if a worker gets injured on your premises).
  • Vehicle Registration: Commercial license plates (Yellow Board) for all collection trucks.

3. Operational Capabilities

  • GPS Tracking: Do their vehicles have GPS? Can they give you a login to track your waste truck in real-time?
  • Segregated Transport: Does the truck have separate compartments for Wet (Green) and Dry (Blue) waste? Compactor trucks that mix everything are a red flag.
  • Weighing Mechanism: Do they have digital weighing scales on the truck or at your gate to record daily tonnage?
  • Destination Proof:

4. The "Site Visit" Audit

Don't trust the paperwork. Visit their processing site.

  • Odor Control: Is the smell manageable? (Strong foul odor indicates failed composting).
  • Reject Rate: Ask "What % of waste do you send to the landfill?"
    Good: < 10-15%
    Suspicious: 0% (Nobody achieves 0% reject; they might be dumping illegal mix).
  • Leachate Management: Is there a system to treat the liquid runoff? Or is it leaking into the ground?

5. Contract Clauses to Protect You

Ensure your SLA (Service Level Agreement) includes:

  • Indemnity Clause: "The Vendor shall indemnify the Generator against any fines levied by Municipal/State authorities due to illegal dumping by the Vendor."
  • Digital Manifest: "Vendor must provide a monthly 'Certificate of Recycling/Processing' with specific tonnage data for Wet and Dry streams."
  • Rejection Right: "Vendor allows the Generator to inspect the processing facility once a quarter."

6. Red Flags (Walk Away If...)

  • The vendor offers a price that is suspiciously low (processing waste costs money; if it's too cheap, they are likely dumping it).
  • They claim to recycle "Everything" (Mixed waste cannot be 100% recycled).
  • They refuse to share the GPS location of their processing plant.