Purpose
Sustainability and responsible business practices are increasingly critical factors for our customers, regulators, and supply chain partners. At Olleco, we recognised that while many positive initiatives were already in place, there was a need to formalise our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) approach and benchmark performance against a recognised global standard. EcoVadis accreditation was identified as a key mechanism to validate progress, strengthen transparency, and demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement. Achieving accreditation would not only enhance our credibility but also support us in meeting growing client expectations and securing opportunities where sustainability performance is a core requirement.
Action
To prepare for the EcoVadis assessment, we undertook a structured review of our existing practices across Environment, Labour & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. We already had detailed processes which supported the assessment requirements, covering areas such as our environmental management, labour and human rights, and ethics. Our data collection and metrics were already in a good position ahead of submission and supported by our existing management systems. Supporting evidence was then compiled and submitted through the EcoVadis platform, with a focus on demonstrating both our sustainability performance and ongoing improvement, which is already strongly embedded within Olleco.
Impact
Achieving EcoVadis Bronze accreditation provided independent validation of Olleco’s ESG performance and strengthened our position in the market, achieving a score that puts us in the top 5% of waste organisations assessed by EcoVadis. The accreditation improved credibility with clients and stakeholders, supporting increased success in tenders where sustainability credentials are assessed. Internally, the process delivered greater visibility of environmental and social impacts, enabling more informed decision-making and driving our sustainability strategy. It also strengthened governance, reduced risk exposure, and has begun to foster a more consistent approach to supplier management and engagement. Importantly, the initiative helped us to further embed a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that we are well positioned to build on our performance, respond to evolving sustainability expectations, and move up the scoring bands year on year.