Modern Slavery and Ethical Labour Commitment

Waste Collection Notting Hill is committed to operating responsibly and ethically in all aspects of our business. This Modern Slavery Statement outlines the steps we take to identify, prevent, and address modern slavery and human trafficking within our operations and supply chains. It applies to all employees, contractors, agency staff, and suppliers engaged by Waste Collection Notting Hill.

Our Zero-Tolerance Policy

We enforce a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, child labour, and any form of exploitation. This commitment is embedded in our company values and is reflected in our internal policies, supplier requirements, and daily working practices.

No form of modern slavery is acceptable in our business or among those who provide goods and services to us. All staff are required to comply with this policy and to act with integrity, transparency, and respect for human rights. Any breach or suspected breach will be treated as a serious disciplinary matter and may result in termination of employment or contract, as well as referral to the relevant authorities where appropriate.

Our Supply Chain and Risk Management

Waste Collection Notting Hill works with a range of suppliers and service providers, including equipment manufacturers, maintenance contractors, vehicle and fuel providers, uniform suppliers, and facilities management companies. We recognise that some sectors and regions may present a higher risk of labour exploitation, and we target our due diligence accordingly.

We require our suppliers to comply with all applicable labour and human rights laws and to maintain working conditions that respect the dignity, safety, and wellbeing of workers. We expect them to ensure that their own supply chains are free from forced labour, trafficked labour, and child labour, and to put in place measures to identify and address potential risks.

Supplier Audits and Due Diligence

To support our zero-tolerance policy, we conduct proportionate due diligence on suppliers, particularly where there is a higher risk of modern slavery. This may include pre-qualification questionnaires, review of labour standards policies, and confirmation of compliance with relevant legislation and industry codes.

We reserve the right to conduct audits of existing suppliers, either directly or through an independent auditor. These audits may review recruitment practices, worker documentation, working hours, pay records, and grievance mechanisms. Where non-compliance or significant risk is identified, we will work with the supplier to develop corrective actions and timescales. If improvements are not made, or if serious violations are found, we may suspend or terminate the business relationship.

Reporting Concerns and Whistleblowing Channels

We encourage anyone who has concerns about potential modern slavery in our operations or supply chain to report them without delay. This includes employees, contractors, suppliers, and members of the public. Concerns can be raised through normal management channels, directly to senior management, or via our confidential whistleblowing arrangements.

All reports will be taken seriously and investigated promptly and sensitively. We will ensure that whistleblowers are protected from victimisation or retaliation for raising concerns in good faith. Where appropriate, we will cooperate fully with law enforcement and other competent authorities.

Training, Awareness, and Continuous Improvement

We provide relevant training and guidance to managers, procurement staff, and frontline employees so they can recognise indicators of modern slavery and know how to respond to concerns. Awareness materials highlight our zero-tolerance stance and emphasise the importance of due diligence and ethical conduct.

We are committed to continually improving our approach. This includes reviewing our risk assessments, strengthening supplier evaluation criteria, and enhancing the visibility of reporting channels. We will seek feedback from stakeholders to ensure our measures remain effective and proportionate.

Monitoring, Governance, and Annual Review

Responsibility for overseeing our modern slavery prevention measures rests with the senior management team at Waste Collection Notting Hill. They review relevant risks, monitor the effectiveness of our controls, and ensure that corrective and preventative actions are implemented where required.

This Modern Slavery Statement is reviewed at least once every 12 months, or more frequently if there are significant changes in our operations, supply chains, or applicable legislation. The review considers audit findings, reported concerns, corrective actions, and emerging best practice. Any updates to this statement will reflect our ongoing commitment to protecting human rights and eliminating modern slavery from our business and supply chains.