Modern Slavery Statement for Rubbish Collection

We are committed to preventing modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, and child labour in every part of our rubbish collection operations. This statement sets out the steps taken to ensure that our waste collection activities, procurement practices, and contractor relationships uphold human rights and ethical standards. We believe that responsible rubbish removal must never come at the expense of the dignity, safety, or freedom of any person.

Our zero-tolerance policy applies to all employees, agency workers, subcontractors, and suppliers. Any indication of exploitation, coercion, withheld identity documents, debt bondage, or unsafe working conditions is treated as a serious breach. We expect every person working with or on behalf of the organisation to understand that modern slavery has no place in refuse collection, transport, sorting, disposal, or supporting services.

To reduce risk, we conduct due diligence before engaging suppliers and monitor higher-risk categories more closely. This includes reviewing labour practices, right-to-work checks, worker welfare controls, and the use of subcontracted labour. Where concerns arise, we investigate promptly and may suspend, remediate, or terminate the relationship if required.

Supplier Standards and Oversight

Our supplier standards require all partners in the rubbish collection industry to demonstrate compliance with applicable labour laws and ethical recruitment principles. We seek assurances that workers are hired voluntarily, paid fairly, and free to leave employment in accordance with the law. Suppliers must also confirm that they do not charge recruitment fees to workers and that records are maintained accurately.

We carry out supplier audits on a risk-based basis, focusing on labour-intensive services, subcontracted operations, and geographically higher-risk areas. These audits may include document checks, site visits, interviews, and verification of wage, time, and immigration records. Findings are tracked through corrective action plans, and we require timely remediation where weaknesses are identified.

Where a supplier fails to meet our standards, we respond proportionately but firmly. Repeated non-compliance, obstruction of audits, or evidence of exploitative behaviour can lead to immediate review of the commercial relationship. We also work with suppliers to improve controls when there is a realistic path to compliance and worker protection.

Reporting Concerns and Promoting Transparency

We encourage anyone connected with our waste collection services to raise concerns if they suspect exploitation or abuse. Reporting channels are available for employees and workers to report concerns confidentially and without fear of retaliation. Allegations are handled sensitively, investigated thoroughly, and escalated where necessary to protect affected individuals and support any legal or safeguarding response.

Managers are trained to recognise warning signs of modern slavery, including restricted movement, unusual dependency on a supervisor, poor living conditions, or inconsistent pay arrangements. This awareness helps strengthen our refuse collection controls and supports early intervention. Ethical conduct is also embedded into onboarding, contractor induction, and procurement processes so that expectations are clear from the outset.

We maintain records of due diligence, audit results, incidents, and remediation actions to support transparency and accountability. These records help us identify patterns, improve controls, and demonstrate ongoing commitment to responsible rubbish collection practices across our operations and supply chain.

Annual Review and Continuous Improvement

This statement and the measures behind it are reviewed annually to ensure they remain effective, proportionate, and aligned with changing risks in the rubbish collection sector. The review considers incident trends, audit findings, supplier performance, legislative updates, and feedback from internal assurance processes. Actions arising from the review are assigned clear owners and tracked to completion.

We aim to strengthen our controls year by year through better procurement screening, targeted supplier engagement, and improved staff training. Where new risks emerge, we adapt our approach quickly. Our commitment is not limited to compliance; it reflects a broader responsibility to operate with integrity and to protect vulnerable workers throughout the rubbish removal and recycling chain.

Through vigilance, effective oversight, and a firm zero-tolerance stance, we seek to ensure that our rubbish collection operations remain free from modern slavery. We will continue to review our practices, challenge poor labour standards, and work only with those who share our commitment to lawful, ethical, and humane working conditions.