Modern Slavery Statement for Waste Collection Surrey

Waste Collection Surrey is committed to conducting all aspects of its business in an ethical and responsible manner. This Modern Slavery Statement sets out the steps we take to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chains. It applies to all employees, agency workers, contractors, and suppliers engaged by Waste Collection Surrey.

Our Commitment and Zero-Tolerance Policy

We have a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, child labour, and exploitation. We are committed to acting with integrity and transparency in all business dealings and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls that seek to ensure modern slavery does not occur within our organisation or in any part of our supply chains.

All staff, managers, and suppliers are expected to uphold this commitment and to comply with relevant labour, immigration, and human rights legislation in the jurisdictions where they operate. Any behaviour falling short of these standards is treated as a serious breach of our policies.

Our Organisation and Supply Chains

Waste Collection Surrey provides waste collection and related environmental services to residential, commercial, and public sector customers across Surrey. Our supply chains include providers of vehicles, equipment, personal protective equipment, fuel, technology, facility services, and labour agencies.

We recognise that certain areas of our supply chain may carry higher risks, particularly where goods or services are sourced indirectly from high-risk sectors or locations. We aim to identify, assess, and mitigate these risks through proactive due diligence and ongoing supplier engagement.

Supplier Standards and Audits

Suppliers are required to adhere to our Supplier Code of Conduct, which reflects our zero-tolerance stance on modern slavery and sets clear expectations regarding labour standards, working conditions, and ethical conduct. We expect suppliers to implement their own policies to prevent modern slavery and to cascade equivalent standards through their own supply chains.

We undertake risk-based supplier audits and assessments, focusing on suppliers in higher-risk categories, such as labour agencies, uniform and equipment suppliers, and those sourcing from industries or regions with known labour risks. These audits may include document reviews, site visits, worker interviews, and follow-up action plans. Where non-compliance is identified, we work with suppliers to achieve timely remediation. If a supplier is unwilling or unable to comply, we reserve the right to suspend or terminate the relationship.

Employee Awareness, Training, and Reporting Channels

We provide training and guidance to relevant employees, particularly those involved in procurement, contract management, and site supervision, so they can recognise indicators of modern slavery and know how to respond. New employees are made aware of our stance on modern slavery through induction materials and our internal policies.

Waste Collection Surrey encourages all employees and third parties to report any concerns about potential modern slavery or unethical labour practices. Concerns may be raised confidentially to line managers, the Human Resources team, or through our whistleblowing channel. Reports are taken seriously, investigated promptly, and handled sensitively, with protection from victimisation for anyone raising concerns in good faith.

Governance, Monitoring, and Annual Review

Responsibility for overseeing our modern slavery approach sits with the senior management team, who ensure that appropriate resources and systems are in place. We monitor compliance with our policies, review the outcomes of supplier audits, and track any reported concerns or incidents.

This Modern Slavery Statement is reviewed at least annually to evaluate the effectiveness of our actions and to identify areas for improvement. As part of the annual review, we consider changes in legislation, industry best practice, risk assessments, and feedback from employees and suppliers. Where necessary, we update our policies, training, and supplier requirements to strengthen our response.

This statement has been approved by the management of Waste Collection Surrey and represents our ongoing commitment to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in our business and supply chains.