Young boy putting a plastic bottle in to a recycling plant

Social value

Succeeding together: contributing to social value in the UK

At Encyclis, “Succeeding Together” is one of our core values. This guiding principle is reflected in our relationships within the business, the communities we serve, and with the various stakeholders we engage with.

We are committed to being good partners and responsible citizens, striving to contribute positively to society while maintaining our business excellence.

As an owner and operator of essential public hygiene infrastructure, we hold a critical set of responsibilities that we take seriously. Our efforts go beyond delivering services; they extend to creating social value in the communities where we operate, as well as driving inward investment into the UK. We believe that a shared commitment to social value is vital for fostering a thriving, sustainable future for both our employees and the wider community.

Social value: safety comes first

Safety is the cornerstone of everything we do at Encyclis. Ensuring that our employees, contractors, and visitors can work in a safe environment is our top priority.

We aim for all those who work at our facilities to arrive safely, perform their tasks securely, and return home safely at the end of the day.

In 2023, we launched our ‘Safety First Charter,’ reinforcing our dedication to a culture of safety. This charter outlines practical safety rules covering key aspects of our operations, including:

  • People and Plant Interface
  • Energy Systems
  • Dropped Objects
  • Working at Height
  • Lifting and Suspended Loads
  • Confined Spaces

These safety rules are an integral part of all site inductions and are reinforced throughout the workplace via print materials, online resources, and internal communications. Every employee is also empowered with ‘Stop Work Authority,’ which allows them to halt any unsafe activity immediately, ensuring that no unsafe work continues.

Thanks to our focus on safety and the vigilance of our dedicated team, we are proud of the outstanding safety performance at our facilities, contributing to both the well-being of our employees and the sustainability of our operations.

Encyclis staff team standing in front of the Safety First Charter, highlighting commitment to workplace health and safety standards.
Our Safety First charter was launched to codify a company-wide commitment to the highest standards of safety.

Social value: providing opportunities and inward investment into the UK

As we focus on creating a safe working environment, we also aim to be an employer of choice. Our commitment to social value extends to providing opportunities that not only benefit our employees but also create wider economic impact.

We are particularly focused on attracting, retaining, and developing the skilled workforce necessary to support the transition to a net-zero economy.

One of the key ways we achieve this is through our investment in apprenticeships, providing young people with meaningful career opportunities at the start of their professional journey. Many of our employees have benefited from our management training programs, allowing them to develop their skills and advance their careers.

As part of our long-term strategy, we continue to develop future skills needed for the transition to net zero, including areas such as carbon capture and energy storage.

These efforts contribute not only to the sustainability of our business but also to the wider economy, particularly through the inward investment into the UK that we facilitate.

Our focus on workforce development has yielded impressive results, with nearly 80% of our employees recommending Encyclis as a great place to work, according to our most recent employee survey.

Social value: engaging with communities

Our role extends beyond our operations to include a strong commitment to the local communities where we work. We aim to make a positive and lasting impact on the areas that host our facilities, and we are proud of the inward investment we bring to these communities.

By employing local people and engaging with local suppliers, we generate economic benefits that ripple throughout the surrounding areas. This approach helps support the broader economic ecosystem and contributes to job creation and local prosperity.

We also contribute to social value through our community funding initiatives, supporting good causes and local projects that improve the quality of life for residents.

Additionally, our teams volunteer their time and skills to community-based projects, further enhancing our social responsibility efforts.

To ensure transparency and open communication with local residents, businesses, and stakeholders, we maintain active community liaison groups. These groups serve as platforms for sharing information, addressing concerns, and building trust. We also provide regular updates about our operations through websites dedicated to each of our facilities.

Encyclis believes in fostering education and understanding, and as such, we open our doors to students, engineers, local authorities, politicians, and regulators. Each year, we host visits to our facilities, providing an opportunity for these groups to learn more about our operations and the role we play in creating a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Conclusion: creating inward investment in the UK

At Encyclis, creating social value is at the heart of everything we do. From prioritising safety in our operations to investing in our people and engaging meaningfully with the communities we serve, we aim to create a positive impact that extends beyond the workplace.

Our efforts not only support the sustainability of our business but also contribute to the wider UK economy by driving inward investment. Through our commitment to safety, career development, community engagement, and local economic growth, we are proud to be playing a part in building a better, cleaner, and more prosperous future for all.

By focusing on the creation of social value and fostering inward investment into the UK, we are building a strong foundation for success — one that benefits our employees, our communities, and the nation as a whole.

More about sustainability