Wiltshire-based recycling and waste management company The Hills Group has introduced a new purchasing policy to ensure it conducts business ethically and with transparency.
Chief executive Mike Hill said: 'We believe that working with suppliers, contractors and business partners who hold the same attitude to business as ourselves enables us to maintain the current high standards we operate to'
The Responsible Purchasing Policy also provides the framework for Hills to comply with the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Details of new policy have been sent to all Hills' suppliers who are requested in turn to confirm their compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 along with supporting the principles that Hills will apply when appointing contractors and business partners to work with and in selecting suppliers of goods and services.
The Modern Slavery Act 2015 is one of the first of its kind in the world and was created to specifically address slavery and trafficking issues of the modern day.
The Act gives greater powers to law enforcement to punish slave-drivers and human traffickers but also includes a provision to encourage businesses to make sure all their suppliers are slavery-free.
Mike Hill added: 'This new policy ensures that social, ethical and environmental considerations are incorporated into Hills' future business decisions.
'It also commits us to minimising any negative impacts which may arise from our operations and maximises benefits for the environment and local communities'
The Hills Group is a privately owned company with business activities which include recycling and waste management, quarrying, ready-mixed concrete production and house building. It has a turnover of £86 million and employs over 400 people at 28 sites.
