As part of our continued commitment to raising standards in the waste and recycling industry, the Environmental Services Association (ESA) has reviewed and updated the Social Value Charter.
First launched in 2022, the Charter aims to provide a clear framework for driving social value through the services and actions of ESA members, working alongside and on behalf of their customers. It serves as a practical guide for decision-makers in the UK’s recycling and waste management sector, helping them embed social value into procurement and contract management. It focuses on where the industry can deliver the most significant social, environmental, and economic benefits. This recent review ensures the Charter remains relevant and aligned with members’ needs.
We are delighted to welcome Augean and SLR Consulting as new signatories to the Charter. Their public commitment to advancing social value exemplifies the leadership and vision that drives our sector forward. Their participation underscores the growing momentum among ESA members to embrace social value as a core principle of their operations and partnerships.
Social value continues to be an evolving issue, with the upcoming Procurement Act (2023), set to take effect on 24 February 2025*, will introduce changes to how contracting authorities procure services, including waste management. The Act aims to create a simpler, more flexible, and more transparent procurement process, and is expected to shape how social value is integrated into public procurement.
Additionally, the Government’s recent stakeholder survey on the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) featured specific questions on social value, offering an opportunity for stakeholders to influence its future direction. The ESA has submitted a detailed response to this survey, which is available in the members’ area.
We encourage all ESA members to demonstrate their commitment to social value by signing the Charter. For more information or to become a signatory, please contact Emilia Peters (e-peters@esauk.org).
*The Procurement Act applies to public sector authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland with some Welsh-specific exemptions or differences to the rules which apply to English authorities.
