Communication on Progress

Communication on Progress

Participant
Published
  • 18-Mar-2022
Time period
  • March 2021  –  March 2022
Format
  • Stand alone document – Basic COP Template
Differentiation Level
  • This COP qualifies for the Global Compact Active level
Self-assessment
  • Includes a CEO statement of continued support for the UN Global Compact and its ten principles
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Human Rights
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Labour
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Environment
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Anti-Corruption
  • Includes a measurement of outcomes
 
  • Statement of continued support by the Chief Executive Officer

  • Statement of the company's chief executive (CEO or equivalent) expressing continued support for the Global Compact and renewing the company's ongoing commitment to the initiative and its principles.

  • March 17, 2022

    To our stakeholders:

    I am pleased to confirm that SweepSmart B.V reaffirms its support of the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact in the areas of Human Rights, Labour, Environment and Anti-Corruption.

    In this annual Communication on Progress, we describe our actions to continually improve the integration of the Global Compact and its principles into our business strategy, culture and daily operations. We also commit to sharing this information with our stakeholders using our primary channels of communication.

    Sincerely yours,

    Silvia de Vaan
    CEO

Human Rights
  • Assessment, policy and goals

  • Description of the relevance of human rights for the company (i.e. human rights risk-assessment). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on Human Rights.

  • Sweepsmart follows the policy of respecting the Universal Declaration of Human rights. We are committed to ensure that all our employees and people we work with including waste workers are treated fairly and with respect. Furthermore our policy prohibits any sort of discrimination in the hiring and promotion practices.

  • Implementation

  • Description of concrete actions to implement Human Rights policies, address Human Rights risks and respond to Human Rights violations.

  • We actively inform all our employees, suppliers and partners of our commitment to Human rights and follow a transparent work culture. We include and campaign in favour of vulnerable groups in society, in particular informal sector waste pickers, who are usually from low caste, migration or other disadvantaged backgrounds. We encourage our employees to report any kind of violation of their rights to our management. If any such concerns are brought forward the management is committed to investigate and take immediate action.

  • Measurement of outcomes

  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates performance.

  • - The company management monitors the progress and reports quarterly.
    - In the past year, SweepSmart has not been subject to any incidents or investigations involving violations of Human rights.

Labour
  • Assessment, policy and goals

  • Description of the relevance of labour rights for the company (i.e. labour rights-related risks and opportunities). Description of written policies, public commitments and company goals on labour rights.

  • SweepSmart has a strong commitment towards the UNGC principles on labour standards. Our mission is to build zero-waste eco-systems that make economic sense, serve the community, save the environment and create jobs to be proud of. So improving working standards and creating decent jobs is ingrained in our DNA. We follow local laws on labour rights. We believe in equal employment opportunities for everyone. Our management makes sure that workplace policies and behaviour are fair and do not disadvantage any employee.

  • Implementation

  • Description of concrete actions taken by the company to implement labour policies, address labour risks and respond to labour violations.

  • Our projects involve working with informal sector waste pickers in developing countries where we create green jobs for waste workers to be proud of and
    ensure good working conditions for them. We work with local NGOs and organisations who are working to improve the living and working conditions of the waste pickers. Furthermore as part of our projects we also provide training to them to improve their skills and increase efficiency.

  • Measurement of outcomes

  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates performance.

  • - 550+ waste workers have been trained till now to give them new skills and enable them to run the waste centres efficiently.
    - SweepSmart has not been involved in any investigations, legal cases or rulings related to violation of labour laws.

Environment
  • Assessment, policy and goals

  • Description of the relevance of environmental protection for the company (i.e. environmental risks and opportunities). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on environmental protection.

  • In most upcoming economies, more than 90% of waste is openly dumped or burnt, while millions of waste pickers work under severe conditions. SweepSmart builds safe, efficient and inclusive zero-waste systems based on deep and longstanding experience in waste management around the world.

  • Implementation

  • Description of concrete actions to implement environmental policies, address environmental risks and respond to environmental incidents.

  • We support our clients and partners in every step towards realising zero-waste eco-systems. Starting with defining the best waste management strategy or designing the right waste collection and processing systems. We help them to go from design to delivery, by implementing the right structures, equipment and processes with close attention to Quality, Health, Safety and Environment standards.

  • Measurement of outcomes

  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates environmental performance.

  • Through our projects implemented in 4 upcoming countries, SweepSmart helps prevent 30,000 tonnes of waste per year from ending up in the environment, landfill or being burnt.

Anti-Corruption
  • Assessment, policy and goals

  • Description of the relevance of anti-corruption for the company (i.e. anti-corruption risk-assessment). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on anti-corruption.

  • SweepSmart supports the UN Convention Against Corruption. We work strongly against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery. As many of our projects involve public funding, we make sure that no money can leave our business in an unauthorised way.

  • Implementation

  • Description of concrete actions to implement anti-corruption policies, address anti-corruption risks and respond to incidents.

  • We have maintained a strict check system over all the transactions. The information is checked and controlled by finance and administration. We include an anti-corruption clause in all our contracts. We have actively vocalised and brought into practice complete resistance against any (suggestions of) corrupt practices, even though it has likely limited our business interests in a negative way.

  • Measurement of outcomes

  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates anti-corruption performance.

  • SweepSmart has not been involved in any investigations, legal cases or rulings related to corruption and bribery.