Modern Slavery Statement for Waste Collection Merton

This Modern Slavery Statement sets out the steps Waste Collection Merton has taken, and continues to take, to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking within our operations and supply chains. We recognise our responsibility to uphold the highest ethical standards and to ensure that all people who work for and with us are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

Our Commitment and Zero-Tolerance Policy

Waste Collection Merton has a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of modern slavery, forced labour, servitude, child labour, and human trafficking. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure that modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our organisation or in any of our supply chains.

All employees, contractors, and suppliers are expected to share this commitment. Any breach of this policy by our staff may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. Any breach by a supplier or contractor may result in the termination of contracts and notification to relevant authorities where appropriate.

Our Operations and Supply Chains

Waste Collection Merton provides waste and recycling collection, handling, and associated services to households, businesses, and public sector organisations. Our activities rely on a range of suppliers, including providers of vehicles, equipment, personal protective equipment, fuel, maintenance services, and information systems, as well as subcontracted labour and specialist waste processing partners.

We recognise that certain sectors and geographies can present higher risks of modern slavery. We therefore take a risk-based approach to assessing our supply chains and prioritise enhanced due diligence where risks may be higher, such as in outsourced labour, cleaning and maintenance services, and the procurement of goods manufactured in higher-risk regions.

Supplier Standards and Audit Processes

We are committed to working only with suppliers who uphold legal and ethical labour practices. As part of our supplier onboarding and renewal processes, we require confirmation that suppliers comply with all relevant labour laws, including legislation relating to modern slavery and human trafficking.

Our supplier management processes include documented checks, which may involve requesting evidence of labour standards policies, training programmes, right to work verification, and health and safety arrangements. For higher-risk suppliers, we reserve the right to conduct targeted audits, which may be carried out by our own team or by qualified third parties, to verify that working conditions and employment practices meet our expectations.

Where non-conformances are identified, we will work with suppliers to define corrective actions and timeframes. Persistent or serious breaches may lead to suspension or termination of the business relationship.

Employee Awareness, Training, and Reporting Channels

We aim to ensure that our employees understand the signs of modern slavery and know how to respond to any concerns. Relevant staff, particularly those involved in procurement, contract management, and site operations, receive training on ethical sourcing, labour standards, and identifying indicators of exploitation.

Waste Collection Merton encourages a culture of openness and accountability. Employees, contractors, and any other stakeholders are encouraged to raise concerns in confidence. Concerns can be reported to line managers, the Human Resources team, or a designated senior manager responsible for ethical conduct. We also maintain a confidential whistleblowing channel, which allows individuals to raise concerns without fear of retaliation.

All reports are taken seriously and investigated promptly. Where appropriate, we will involve law enforcement or regulatory bodies and take immediate steps to safeguard any affected individuals.

Continuous Improvement and Annual Review

We acknowledge that addressing modern slavery is an ongoing commitment and requires continuous improvement. Each year, Waste Collection Merton will review this statement, our associated policies, and our internal procedures to assess their effectiveness and identify opportunities for enhancement.

As part of this annual review, we will consider feedback from employees, suppliers, and other stakeholders, review any incidents or concerns raised, and evaluate the outcomes of supplier checks and audits. We will update our risk assessments and action plans accordingly and communicate any significant changes to our staff and key suppliers.

This Modern Slavery Statement has been approved by the senior leadership of Waste Collection Merton and reflects our ongoing commitment to conducting our business in a manner that respects human rights and actively combats modern slavery and human trafficking in all their forms.