Modern Slavery Commitment for Waste Removal Kingston upon Thames

Waste Removal Kingston upon Thames is firmly committed to conducting all aspects of our business in an ethical, responsible, and transparent manner. We fully support the aims of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and recognise our responsibility to identify, prevent, and address the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking within our operations and supply chains.

This Modern Slavery Statement sets out the steps we take to ensure that slavery, servitude, forced labour, and human trafficking have no place in the delivery of our waste removal and associated services.

Our Zero-Tolerance Approach

We operate a strict zero-tolerance policy toward modern slavery and human trafficking. This policy applies to all individuals working for or on behalf of Waste Removal Kingston upon Thames at every level, including employees, agency workers, contractors, suppliers, and business partners.

We expect everyone associated with our business to share our commitment to human rights, decent working conditions, and fair treatment. Any indication of modern slavery within our operations or supply chains will be investigated promptly and thoroughly, and we will take decisive action, which may include terminating contracts and reporting concerns to the appropriate authorities.

Our Operations and Supply Chain

Waste Removal Kingston upon Thames provides waste collection, recycling, and disposal services to residential, commercial, and public sector customers. Our supply chain includes providers of vehicles, fuel, equipment, uniforms, facilities management, and labour services, as well as downstream partners involved in the sorting, recycling, and disposal of waste.

We recognise that certain parts of the waste and recycling sector can be vulnerable to labour exploitation, especially where subcontracted or temporary labour is used. For this reason, we prioritise vigilance, due diligence, and open communication with our suppliers.

Supplier Standards and Audits

We require our suppliers and contractors to uphold standards that are consistent with our zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery. When engaging suppliers, we assess their ethical and labour practices, and we expect them to demonstrate compliance with all relevant employment, health and safety, and human rights legislation.

Where proportionate to the level of risk, we conduct supplier audits and reviews to verify that appropriate controls are in place. These checks may include reviewing employment records, working hours, pay practices, and recruitment methods. We prioritise audits for suppliers operating in higher-risk sectors or using lower-skilled or temporary labour.

If we identify non-compliance or concerns, we will work collaboratively with the supplier to address the issues within a clear and reasonable timeframe. Continued failure to meet our standards will result in the termination of the business relationship.

Reporting Channels and Whistleblowing

We encourage all employees, workers, suppliers, and other stakeholders to report any concerns about modern slavery, human trafficking, or unethical labour practices connected to our business or supply chain.

Concerns can be raised directly with line managers, senior management, or through our internal reporting channels, which allow issues to be reported confidentially. We will investigate all concerns promptly, sensitively, and without victimisation of the person raising the concern.

Retaliation against anyone who raises a genuine concern about modern slavery is strictly prohibited. We are committed to creating a culture where individuals feel safe to speak up and are confident that their concerns will be taken seriously.

Training and Awareness

We provide appropriate training and guidance to managers and key staff, particularly those involved in procurement, recruitment, and site supervision. This training is designed to help them recognise the signs of modern slavery, understand our policies, and know how to respond to concerns.

We also work to increase general awareness among all staff, reinforcing our zero-tolerance stance and reminding employees of the importance of reporting suspicious behaviour or working conditions.

Monitoring, Accountability, and Annual Review

Responsibility for overseeing our modern slavery measures rests with the senior management team of Waste Removal Kingston upon Thames. They ensure that our policies are implemented effectively and that identified risks are monitored and addressed.

We review this Modern Slavery Statement and our associated practices at least once a year to reflect changes in legislation, industry guidance, and our operational activities. As part of this review, we assess the effectiveness of our due diligence, supplier audits, and reporting mechanisms and identify opportunities for improvement.

This Statement reflects the position and activities of Waste Removal Kingston upon Thames for the current financial year and will be updated annually to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in all areas of our business.