Waste Disposal Catford Modern Slavery Statement

Waste Disposal Catford is committed to conducting all aspects of its business in an honest, ethical and socially 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, workers, contractors and suppliers who work with or on behalf of Waste Disposal Catford.

Our Zero Tolerance Approach

We have a clear zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of modern slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, and human trafficking. We do not accept any abuse of human rights in our own activities or within our supply chains. Any suspected or confirmed instance of modern slavery is treated as a serious breach of our standards and may result in termination of employment or contract, and reporting to relevant authorities where appropriate.

All managers are responsible for promoting this zero-tolerance culture and ensuring that our requirements are understood and followed by their teams and third parties with whom they engage. We expect everyone representing Waste Disposal Catford to act with integrity and to challenge any behaviour that is inconsistent with this statement.

Our Business and Supply Chains

Waste Disposal Catford provides waste collection, recycling and disposal services to domestic, commercial and public sector customers. Our supply chains include providers of vehicles, equipment, protective clothing, recycling and treatment facilities, maintenance contractors, temporary labour agencies and other professional and support services.

We recognise that some parts of the waste and recycling sector, including subcontracted labour, transport and facility operations, can be vulnerable to exploitation. We therefore aim to work only with reputable suppliers and partners who share our commitment to respecting human rights and preventing modern slavery.

Supplier Standards and Audits

All new suppliers are assessed against our ethical and compliance expectations as part of our procurement process. We require suppliers to:

Confirm that they do not use forced, bonded or involuntary labour and that they respect the rights of workers to work freely and voluntarily. Ensure that all workers are of legal working age, with appropriate right to work documentation and fair terms of employment. Provide safe and hygienic working conditions and pay wages that meet or exceed applicable legal and industry standards. Cascade equivalent standards to their own suppliers and subcontractors.

We conduct proportionate supplier audits and checks, focusing in particular on high-risk categories such as agency labour, transport, cleaning, waste processing and international sourcing of materials or equipment. These audits may include reviewing employment records, right to work documents, working hours, wage records and health and safety arrangements, as well as confidential discussions with workers where appropriate.

Training and Awareness

We provide guidance and training to relevant employees, including managers, supervisors, procurement and site-based staff, to help them identify indicators of modern slavery and understand how to respond. Training covers the nature of modern slavery, potential risk areas in our sector, warning signs in the workplace and supply chain, and the internal procedures for raising and escalating concerns.

We encourage open dialogue and make it clear that everyone has a responsibility to speak up if they have any doubts about the treatment of workers, whether within our own operations or in connection with our suppliers and contractors.

Reporting Channels and Whistleblowing

Anyone who has concerns about possible modern slavery or unethical behaviour linked to Waste Disposal Catford can raise them through several reporting channels. Employees can report concerns to their line manager, a senior manager or directly to the HR team. They can also use our confidential whistleblowing procedure to report issues anonymously if they wish.

Suppliers, contractors and other third parties are encouraged to contact their regular Waste Disposal Catford representative or our management team to report any concerns. All reports are taken seriously, investigated promptly and handled sensitively. We will not tolerate any form of victimisation or retaliation against anyone who raises a concern in good faith.

Monitoring, Governance and Annual Review

Responsibility for overseeing this Modern Slavery Statement and our wider human rights commitments rests with the senior management of Waste Disposal Catford. We maintain records of our due diligence activities, supplier assessments, incidents reported and the actions taken in response.

This statement is reviewed at least once every year or earlier if there are significant changes in our business, legal requirements or identified risks. The annual review considers the effectiveness of our controls, audit findings, training outcomes and any reported incidents or concerns. Where areas for improvement are identified, we implement an action plan and monitor progress.

By publishing this Modern Slavery Statement, Waste Disposal Catford confirms its ongoing commitment to preventing modern slavery in all forms and to continually improving our approach to ethical conduct and responsible supply chain management.