Modern Slavery Statement — Commercial Waste Removal Forest Gate
Commercial Waste Removal Forest Gate is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in all areas of our operations. This statement sets out our approach to identifying, preventing and responding to risks related to forced labour and exploitation within our business and supply chains. We recognise our responsibility as a leading provider of commercial waste removal in Forest Gate to act with integrity and to promote fair, safe working conditions for everyone involved in waste management, collection and disposal.
We operate a clear zero-tolerance policy towards modern slavery and exploitation. Our policy is applied across our direct workforce and extends to contractors, subcontractors and suppliers engaged in support services or materials supply for our Forest Gate commercial waste removal operations. The policy emphasises that any instance of forced labour, withholding of wages, deceptive recruitment practices or retention of identity documents is unacceptable and will result in immediate action, including termination of contracts and referral to the appropriate authorities.
To ensure accountability, our leadership team has established governance arrangements which include defined roles and responsibilities for mitigating modern slavery risk. We require managers and procurement staff to complete training on recognising signs of exploitation and to escalate concerns through formal reporting channels. This statement complements existing health, safety and equality policies and is aligned with our commitment to ethical procurement across commercial waste removal services Forest Gate-wide.
Supplier Audits and Due Diligence
We carry out robust supplier due diligence before onboarding new partners and maintain a programme of ongoing supplier audits for higher-risk suppliers. Our supplier audit process for Forest Gate commercial waste collectors and contractors includes documentation checks, site visits and worker interviews where practicable. Suppliers must demonstrate adherence to our code of conduct, provide evidence of lawful pay and working hours, and show transparent recruitment and subcontracting practices.
Supplier audits are risk-based and prioritised for those providing labour-intensive services or sourcing materials from regions with higher prevalence of labour exploitation. Audit findings are recorded, and corrective action plans are agreed with suppliers. Persistent non-compliance triggers escalation, suspension of services or contract termination. We strongly encourage suppliers to implement their own prevention measures and to share remediation best practices across the waste sector.
As part of our procurement process we use a combination of checks:
- verification of identity and right to work;
- review of payroll, time records and pay slips;
- site inspections and worker interviews;
- review of recruitment agency procedures and fees.
Reporting Channels, Remediation and Annual Review
We provide multiple confidential reporting channels for employees, suppliers and third parties to raise concerns about suspected slavery or trafficking. Reports can be submitted anonymously and are investigated promptly. We maintain a documented process for responding to allegations which includes immediate risk assessment, worker protection measures and collaboration with law enforcement or specialist agencies when necessary. Complainants will be protected from retaliation and supported through accessible remediation options.
Our remediation approach seeks to prioritise the safety and rights of affected individuals: we ensure temporary safe accommodation where required, access to medical care and legal support, and recover any withheld wages where possible. We commit to learning from incidents to strengthen prevention and to make sure that Forest Gate commercial waste removal practices reflect the highest ethical standards.
This statement will be reviewed at least annually and updated to reflect changes in our business, emerging risks and lessons learned from audits and incidents. The review process includes input from senior management, procurement, HR and compliance teams and, where appropriate, third-party experts. Our ongoing objectives include expanding supplier engagement, increasing audit coverage, enhancing worker awareness programmes and publishing measurable progress against our anti-slavery commitments.
