Introduction
Alex Smiles Ltd believes that the most successful companies will be those who have an innovative approach to creating more sustainable businesses.
Alex Smiles Ltd is a private company which was established in 1973 to provide waste collection, reclamation and disposal services to a wide range of customers including local industry, local councils and the general public.
Alex Smiles Ltd recognises its responsibility to the environment; the management and all who are employed by the company are committed to the care of the environment and the prevention of pollution.
Alex Smiles Ltd work to minimise the effect that our activities have on the environment and these activities our carried out in conformance with the relevant environmental legislation and regulatory requirements.
Alex Smiles Ltd has informally had a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy in place for many years investing in our recycling capabilities and working with our local community.
Alex Smiles Ltd look to:
- Adopt good practice from like minded organisations
- Develop meaningful partnerships
- Offer our service and expertise
- Trial new processes
- Positively influence the local agenda
Following responsible business practice is central to our vision – it’s about everything that we do at work. For example, we:
- Lead the way in converting construction waste into a resource in the local area
- Participate in activities with a social or environmental benefit – supporting local charities, schools and colleges and working with our community partners
- Work closely with our customers to understand their hurdles to achieve innovative solutions
- Look after health, safety and wellbeing of our employees
Environment
The environment is important to both our business and personal futures and as a conscientious employer it is only right that we look to limit our impact on the environment.
The Company seeks to minimise waste arising, promote recycling, reduce energy consumption, reduce harmful emissions and where possible to work with suppliers and sub-contractors who themselves have sound environmental policies.
An essential feature of the environmental management system is our commitment to improving environmental performance. This is achieved by setting annual environmental improvement targets which are regularly monitored and reviewed in the management programme.
Alex Smiles Ltd recognised the need to convert construction waste into a resource to extend the life of existing tipping facilities and to preserve natural resources. The company has made considerable investment into crushers and screens in order to produce quality products which provide cost-effective alternatives to the use of virgin materials.
We believe that we have a role to play on positively creating a culture of environmental awareness and encouraging our customers to consider the environmental impact of their actions. Alex Smiles Ltd has been involved in the education of companies in the construction industry in waste management with increasing success. We encourage waste segregation at source, systematically removing specific recyclable waste materials from the waste stream.
Fuel Consumption
We actively manage our fuel consumption at Alex Smiles Ltd providing regular training to our drivers through Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) courses which are approved by the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and The Department for Transport.
Energy
Our MRF plant is shut down during staff downtime reducing the amount of energy consumed during the working day and allowing maintenance which further ensures resource efficiency.
Health & Safety
It is our policy at Alex Smiles Ltd to provide and maintain safe and healthy working conditions, equipment and systems of work for all our employees. The Company seeks to minimise the risk our employees, contractors, customers and the public who are affected by our work.
All new employees receive a health and safety induction and new starter pack. Key personnel attend the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) Managing Safely course.
Alex Smiles Ltd maintains a management system in line with the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS 18001).
Our Health & Safety performance can only improve if everyone is vigilant and takes care of everyone affected by our work.
A no blame culture within Alex Smiles Ltd ensures that “near misses” are reported and preventive measures implemented to safeguard our workforce from accidents and injuries.
Community
We take our responsibilities within our local community seriously and promote awareness of recycling and waste management within the local area.
Alex Smiles Ltd is a local family run business and the Company is committed to playing its part in making the North East of England a great place to live and work.
In the past Alex Smiles Ltd has made noticeable efforts within our local community which vary from educational activities, sponsorship of local charities and events and the promotion of regional campaigns.
We have welcomed visits from a number of different schools, colleges along with The University of Sunderland Business School to promote recycling and to give students an insight into what really happens with their waste.
“By encouraging our students to take an active role in group work projects such, as this, we are aiding their educational experience, giving them real technical skills together with experience of working with reclaimed materials, as well as strenghting our links with local businesses and having lots of fun in the process.”
– Gary Cumisky, Head of Construction, City of Sunderland College.
Community Projects
Alex Smiles Ltd also sponsored City of Sunderland College’s Scrap Heap Challenge in 2009. More than 350 students took part in the challenge using recycled material as part of their studies to reduce waste.
The students visited the site and were able to salvage materials and find out what happens to waste materials. They then used the salvaged material to build go-karts and put them to the test on a slalom course constructed in the car park at Hylton Skills Campus.
Alex Smiles Ltd has supported South Tyneside’s annual Enviro Fayre from its inception in 2007. The Fayre is held in Bents Park, South Shields and hosted by South Tyneside Council to give local people the opportunity to get expert advice on becoming environmentally friendly.
Alex Smiles Ltd sponsored the overall award for overcoming barriers to employment at the Back on the Map Employment and Enterprise Awards 2008.
People
Our staff are our greatest asset. We aim to recruit, train, develop and retain talent. Effective recruitment and selection practices is key to the successful day-to-day functioning of the Company.
Alex Smiles Ltd is committed to promoting and maintaining recruitment and selection practices that are:
- Timely and relevant, using cost-effective methods and inclusive sources
- Fair and consistent, ensuring that at all stages, decisions are based purely on the merits of individuals linked to the requirements and competencies of the job role
- Non-discriminatory, operating in accordance with Alex Smiles Ltd and Waste Recycling Logistics Ltd policies
- Designed to attract and retain the best talent that is available
- At least compliant with statutory requirements
Alex Smiles Ltd has a proven history of assisting staff with apprenticeships. In our vehicle maintenance department two of our four fully qualified fitters trained with an apprenticeship with Alex Smiles Ltd since leaving school in 2003 and 2008.
Alex Smiles Ltd has committed to the Skills Pledge and is working in partnership with Business Link to realise the potential of all our employees by developing their basic skills and working towards relevant, valuable qualifications. By making the Skills Pledge, Alex Smiles Ltd commits to:
- Actively encouraging and supporting employees to gain the skills and qualifications that will meet the needs of the business and will support their future employability
- Further support employees to acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills and work towards their first full Level 2 qualification
- Demonstrably raise employees’ skills and competencies to improve their organisational performance through investing in economically valuable training and development
Where practicable Alex Smiles Ltd offers flexible working arrangements to enable individuals to balance the needs and demands of both their home and work lives.