Modern Slavery Statement — Commercial Waste Rotherhithe
Commercial Waste Rotherhithe is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in all areas of our business and supply chain. This Modern Slavery Statement sets out our zero-tolerance approach to forced labour, exploitation and any form of coerced work within our operations and in the activities of our partners providing Rotherhithe commercial waste services.
Our statement applies across every part of our organisation and to all contractors and suppliers used in the provision of commercial waste collection Rotherhithe clients rely upon. We recognise that the waste management sector can be susceptible to exploitation in low-skill labour segments and therefore adopt a proactive stance to identify, prevent and remediate any instance of modern slavery within our footprint.
We operate a zero-tolerance policy to modern slavery. All employees, contractors and suppliers are expected to adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct. Commercial Waste Rotherhithe will take robust action where suspicion or evidence of forced labour or trafficking arises, including terminating contracts, requiring corrective action and involving the appropriate authorities where necessary.
Supplier Audits and Due Diligence
We undertake risk-based supplier assessments to understand how our procurement of Rotherhithe commercial waste services could create or exacerbate vulnerability. Assessments include desk-based reviews and on-site verifications. Our procurement team maintains a register of suppliers and performs enhanced due diligence for any parties operating in high-risk jurisdictions or employing significant manual labour.
Our supplier audits are a core tool in preventing modern slavery. Audits are scheduled annually or more frequently for high-risk suppliers and cover:
- verification of employment records and right-to-work checks;
- examination of working hours, pay and overtime practices;
- inspection of recruitment processes to detect third-party coercion or debt bondage;
- reviews of accommodation arrangements where applicable.
Where non-compliance is identified we require corrective action plans and follow up with targeted re-audit. In serious cases we will cease trading with suppliers that fail to remediate and present an ongoing risk to people’s welfare.
Reporting Channels and Worker Protection
We maintain clear, confidential reporting channels to enable employees, workers and third parties to raise concerns about suspected modern slavery. Reports can be made internally through secured internal processes and are handled with strict confidentiality. We commit to protecting whistleblowers from retaliation and ensuring that reports trigger timely investigation and, where appropriate, referral to external agencies.
Investigations follow a documented process: initial assessment, evidence-gathering, interviews, and a decision on remedial steps. We may require suppliers to implement specific remedial measures, provide compensation where applicable, and cooperate fully with law enforcement and regulator requests. Our approach is victim-centred, aiming to ensure safety, support and access to remedies for affected individuals.
The Board and senior management oversee this Modern Slavery Statement with an annual review cycle. Each year we measure performance against a set of indicators, including audit completion rates, number of high-risk suppliers reviewed, incidents reported, and corrective actions closed. Results are used to refine our policies and to strengthen the integrity of our commercial waste services in Rotherhithe.
Training, Policy and Continuous Improvement: We provide targeted training for procurement, operations and site managers on identification of modern slavery risks and appropriate response. Our standard contracts include anti-slavery clauses and we expect all suppliers to sign a Supplier Code of Conduct. We will continue to enhance our capability through staff education, improved audit techniques and collaboration with industry peers to raise standards in Rotherhithe waste management and across the wider sector.
Commercial Waste Rotherhithe remains committed to transparency, vigilance and ongoing improvement. We will review this statement and our practices annually to ensure our procedures remain effective in preventing modern slavery and protecting the rights and dignity of everyone involved in our operations.
Signed on behalf of the senior leadership team, this statement represents our continued pledge to combat modern slavery throughout our commercial waste operations in the Rotherhithe area and across our supply chains.
