Modern Slavery Statement for Council Waste Collection

Our council adopts a zero-tolerance policy toward all forms of modern slavery and forced labour in the delivery of municipal services, including refuse and waste collection. This Modern Slavery Statement sets out how the council's waste collection operations and supply chains are managed to prevent exploitation, protect vulnerable workers and ensure ethical procurement across all council waste collection activities.

We commit to embedding anti-slavery safeguards in contracts with hauliers, recycling partners and subcontractors. The modern slavery statement for waste collection outlines our expectations, contractual clauses and consequences for non-compliance. Procurement and contract managers receive mandatory guidance to identify potential indicators of human trafficking, bonded labour or exploitative recruitment in the waste industry.

Policies, Risk Assessment and Supplier Audits

Our policy framework includes risk assessments specific to waste collection services and related suppliers. We undertake due diligence on high-risk categories such as seasonal labour, third-party drivers and low-cost subcontractors. The council conducts regular supplier audits and site visits to ensure working conditions meet statutory and contractual standards. Audit findings lead to corrective action plans, and persistent non-conformity may result in contract termination.

To strengthen oversight we use a layered approach: prequalification checks, periodic supplier audits and spot inspections. Audit criteria include proof of right-to-work checks, transparent payroll records, safe transport arrangements and grievance mechanisms for workers. Our procurement teams work with suppliers to remediate issues and build capability to comply with the Modern Slavery Act and local anti-exploitation requirements.

Key supplier and contractor commitments include:

• Contract clauses prohibiting forced labour and child labour
• Evidence of fair recruitment and employment terms
• Cooperation with on-site audits and corrective action
• Transparent subcontracting records and labour-supply chains

Reporting Channels, Training and Enforcement

We maintain multiple reporting channels to enable safe, confidential reporting of suspected exploitation within waste collection operations and across the municipal supply chain. Staff, contractors and the public are encouraged to report concerns through clearly communicated internal channels. Reports are assessed by a designated compliance team, and serious allegations are escalated to the appropriate authorities.

The council provides targeted training for front-line collection crews, contractors and procurement staff to recognise signs of modern slavery, including irregular working hours, restricted movement, withheld wages and third-party control of workers. Training emphasizes a victim-centred response and the role of procurement in preventing exploitation in rubbish collection and recycling services.

Enforcement measures include contractual sanctions, suspension of right to supply, and referrals for criminal investigation where appropriate. We apply a proportionate, transparent approach that focuses on rapid remediation for affected workers, while holding culpable parties to account. The council's leadership remains committed to continuous improvement and practical action across the refuse and waste management lifecycle.

Our modern slavery efforts are integrated with broader corporate social responsibility objectives and local authority duties. We collaborate with industry groups, neighbouring councils and specialist organisations to share best practice and strengthen community safeguards across municipal waste and recycling services. This collaborative approach enhances our ability to detect, prevent and respond to exploitation within the wider waste economy.

Annual review and continuous improvement are central to our approach. The council will publish an annual modern slavery statement update for its waste collection programme, detailing audit outcomes, remediation actions, training delivery, and any policy changes. This annual review ensures that the modern slavery statement for council waste collection remains current, effective and aligned with legal obligations and ethical expectations.

Through clear policy, supplier audits, accessible reporting channels and a formal annual review, the council reaffirms its commitment to a zero-tolerance stance on modern slavery in all waste collection and associated services. We will continue to strengthen controls, support vulnerable workers and drive accountability across the supply chain to eliminate forced labour and exploitation from municipal waste operations.