Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

Waste Collection Battersea is committed to conducting all aspects of its business in a lawful, ethical and transparent manner. This Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement sets out the steps we are taking to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking from occurring within our operations and supply chains.

We recognise that modern slavery is a serious crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. It can take many forms, including forced labour, servitude, human trafficking, debt bondage and child labour. We do not tolerate any form of modern slavery in our organisation or in the businesses with which we work.

Our Zero-Tolerance Policy

Waste Collection Battersea has a clear and unequivocal zero-tolerance policy towards modern slavery and human trafficking. This applies to all employees, agency workers, contractors, suppliers and any other parties acting on our behalf.

All individuals engaged in work for or with Waste Collection Battersea are required to conduct themselves in a way that upholds human dignity and respects the rights of all persons. Any breach or suspected breach of this policy will be treated as a serious matter and may result in disciplinary action, termination of contracts and, where appropriate, referral to the relevant authorities.

Our Operations and Supply Chain

Our core business is the collection, handling and transfer of waste and recyclables in and around Battersea. To deliver these services, we rely on a network of suppliers and service providers, including equipment manufacturers, vehicle maintenance providers, uniform and safety equipment suppliers and specialist contractors.

We understand that risks of modern slavery can arise at different stages of the supply chain, particularly where labour-intensive activities are carried out or where sourcing occurs from higher risk regions or sectors. Our approach is to identify, assess and manage these risks proactively and proportionately.

Supplier Due Diligence and Audits

We are committed to working with suppliers that share our values and uphold the same high standards in relation to human rights and labour practices. As part of our supplier onboarding and ongoing management processes, we carry out due diligence designed to identify any indicators of modern slavery.

Our measures include assessing suppliers against our ethical standards, requesting information on their labour practices, and requiring them to confirm compliance with applicable employment and human rights legislation. Where we identify areas of potential concern, we may undertake more detailed reviews or site visits.

We reserve the right to conduct audits of selected suppliers to verify compliance with our modern slavery requirements. These audits may review employment records, working conditions and recruitment processes, and may involve confidential discussions with workers. Where non-compliance is identified, we will require corrective action within a defined timeframe and may suspend or terminate the business relationship if improvements are not made.

Reporting Concerns and Whistleblowing

We are committed to creating an environment in which concerns about modern slavery can be raised openly and without fear of retaliation. Employees, contractors, suppliers and other stakeholders are encouraged to report any suspected instance of modern slavery or unethical labour practice in our operations or supply chains.

Concerns can be raised directly with line managers, senior management, or via established internal reporting channels. Reports will be handled sensitively and, where possible, confidentially. We do not tolerate victimisation or retaliation against any person who raises a concern in good faith, even if that concern is ultimately not substantiated.

All reports will be investigated promptly and, where necessary, appropriate remedial and protective measures will be taken. This may include engagement with suppliers, amendments to working arrangements or escalation to relevant enforcement bodies.

Training and Awareness

We recognise that awareness and understanding are essential to preventing modern slavery. Waste Collection Battersea is committed to providing appropriate information and training to managers and relevant staff, particularly those involved in procurement, contract management, recruitment and site supervision.

Training will cover the nature and signs of modern slavery, the responsibilities of staff in identifying and reporting concerns, and the company procedures for managing suspected cases. We also seek to promote awareness among our suppliers and contractors by communicating our expectations clearly during engagement and contract discussions.

Monitoring and Annual Review

We are committed to continuous improvement in our approach to tackling modern slavery. This statement and the supporting procedures will be reviewed at least annually, or more frequently if required by changes in legislation, organisational structure or identified risk areas.

As part of the annual review, we will evaluate the effectiveness of our measures, including the outcomes of supplier assessments and audits, reports received through our reporting channels, and the adequacy of training and communication. Where necessary, we will update our policies, procedures and controls to strengthen our prevention and response capabilities.

This Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement has been approved by the leadership of Waste Collection Battersea and reflects our ongoing commitment to upholding human rights and ethical labour practices in every aspect of our business.