Independent auditors have praised Cheshire West Recycling's leadership, operational performance and culture of continual improvement after successfully renewing the organisation's internationally recognised certifications for quality, environmental management and occupational health and safety.
Cheshire West Recycling has achieved triple ISO recertification following a comprehensive independent audit, reaffirming the organisation's commitment to delivering safe, high-quality and environmentally responsible waste and recycling services for residents across Cheshire West and Chester.
The recertification audit, carried out by independent certification body ISOQAR, assessed CWR's Integrated Management System (IMS) against three internationally recognised standards:
- ISO 9001 - Quality Management
- ISO 14001 - Environmental Management
- ISO 45001 - Occupational Health and Safety
Following several days of auditing this summer across all three depots, auditors confirmed that CWR continues to meet the requirements of all three standards, providing positive independent assurance that its Quality, Environmental and Health & Safety Management Systems remain effective and embedded across the business.
The report recognised the maturity of CWR's management and assurance arrangements, as well as the strong leadership demonstrated across the organisation. Auditors also recognised the effectiveness of CWR's governance, risk management and performance monitoring processes, highlighting the way these support consistent service delivery and ongoing improvement.
Employee engagement was identified as a particular strength, with positive recognition given to CWR's HSEQ Committee, toolbox talks, workforce consultation and continued investment in digital systems and processes. These were noted for supporting improvements in incident management, structured investigations, root cause analysis and action tracking.
Operational performance also received significant praise. The audit highlighted CWR's outstanding service delivery, including a 99.97% right-first-time collection rate and a 44% reduction in reversing incidents, significantly exceeding the organisation's own improvement target.
Environmental management was another area of strength, with recognition given to CWR's effective waste management arrangements, environmental controls, climate change planning and continued investment in infrastructure to improve environmental performance.
As with any comprehensive independent audit, a small number of observations and opportunities for improvement were identified, along with a single nonconformance. This has already been addressed through the organisation's established corrective action process.
Jody Sherratt, Managing Director of CWR, said: "Independent audits give us the opportunity to take an in-depth look into every part of the organisation. They help us recognise what's working well, identify where we can improve and provide independent assurance that we're delivering services to the highest possible standards.
"I'm particularly pleased that the auditors recognised the progress we've made over the past year and the positive culture we've continued to build across the business. For CWR, maintaining internationally recognised standards isn't just about passing an audit. It's about giving residents, employees and our shareholder confidence that we're committed to continually improving the way we work and the services we provide.
"This achievement belongs to every colleague at CWR. From our collection crews and HWRC teams to Fleet Services, the MRF and our support functions, everyone has played a part in maintaining the high standards that these certifications represent."
The successful recertification provides independent assurance that CWR continues to operate to internationally recognised standards while delivering reliable, safe and sustainable services for residents. As the organisation continues to grow and evolve, maintaining these certifications reiterates CWR's ongoing commitment to investing in its people, strengthening its systems and improving the services it provides across Cheshire West and Chester.
