The charter can be viewed here.
The ESA explained that social value is an “increasingly valuable way to understand measure and respond” to the impact made through recycling and waste management projects or services.
This can impact stakeholders, the community operated in and both the local and national economy, the ESA added.
It can also help companies comply with Public Services (Social Value) Act, which came into force in January 2013 and requires people who commission public services to think about how they can also secure wider social, economic and environmental benefit as part of the service.
Chair of the ESA’s social value working group, Sarah Ottaway, said: “With growing pressure on public services, there has never been a greater need to maximise the social and environmental benefits created through how public money is being spent, so it is more important than ever that core public services like recycling and waste management also deliver on wider objectives that benefit society, by building social value into procurement and service delivery.”
Ms Ottaway added: “Social value works best when stakeholders set clear aims and objectives developed through partnership and openness, so the ESA and its members want to engage with commissioners of our services to ensure that the framework published today can evolve over time and help build social value opportunities into procurement decision-making.”
Framework
A framework is included within the charter to help “embed social value into procurement or contract management, by focusing on core areas where the sector can make the most significant contribution.”
The framework is in three core themes – being a desirable sector to work in; delivering net-zero and protecting the natural environment; and being a good neighbour. Each theme sets out a number of key principles and social value outcomes.
This includes actions such as paying a fair wage for the job done, creating a safe working environment and continually working to improve.
‘Fantastic’
Executive director of the ESA, Jacob Hayler, said: “It is fantastic to see so many of our members commit today to maximising the benefits and opportunities their activities bring to individuals, communities, and society, and to measuring and understanding the social value their organisations create over time – which will inform decision-making both for service delivery and procurement as well as improving the social value outcomes their organisations create both individually and collectively, and on a local and national basis.
“ I would like to thank the members involved in our Social Value Working Group for their time and input in creating the charter.”
The launch of the ESA Social Value Charter is supported by the below short film.
‘Delighted’
Private sector lead at Social Value UK, Charlotte Österman, said: “We are delighted to see this Charter take form and will be keeping close tabs on it as it progresses. Social Value UK is a strong advocate for this type of joint action in the waste management sector, which better accounts for impacts on people and maximises the social value created.”
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