South Australian E-Waste Services

1300 973 566

Modern Slavery Statement

South Australian E-Waste Services (SAEWS)

Reporting Period: 2025–2026
Prepared in accordance with the requirements and principles of the Australian Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth), South Australian environmental obligations, workplace legislation, and responsible supply chain management expectations.

1. Introduction

South Australian E-Waste Services (“SAEWS”, “we”, “our”, or “the Company”) is committed to conducting business ethically, responsibly, and transparently across all operations, supply chains, contractor relationships, and environmental management activities.

We recognise that modern slavery, forced labour, human trafficking, debt bondage, child labour, deceptive recruitment, exploitation of vulnerable workers, and unethical waste handling practices can exist within global and domestic supply chains, including the electronics, recycling, transport, logistics, refurbishment, and waste management sectors.

SAEWS is committed to identifying, preventing, mitigating, and responding to risks of modern slavery and unethical labour practices within our operations and business relationships.

This statement outlines the measures implemented by SAEWS to ensure compliance with:

  • The Australian Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth)
  • Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)
  • Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA)
  • Environment Protection Act 1993 (SA)
  • Australian environmental and waste management legislation
  • Ethical procurement principles
  • Responsible recycling and downstream processing obligations
  • Industry expectations regarding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance

2. About South Australian E-Waste Services

South Australian E-Waste Services is a South Australian operated electronic waste and IT asset management provider servicing businesses, government entities, organisations, and residential clients throughout South Australia and interstate support networks.

Our services include:

  • E-waste collections
  • End-of-life IT asset management
  • Secure logistics and transport
  • Inventory and asset reporting
  • Data destruction services
  • Refurbishment and reuse programs
  • Responsible recycling
  • Bin swap-over services
  • Equipment decommissioning
  • Office cleanouts and collections
  • Palletising and interstate logistics support
  • Environmental reporting
  • IT equipment redeployment and refurbishment

SAEWS supports circular economy initiatives by prioritising reuse, refurbishment, repair, responsible recycling, and landfill diversion wherever practical and legally compliant.

3. Our Commitment to Human Rights and Ethical Conduct

SAEWS maintains a zero-tolerance approach to:

  • Forced labour
  • Child labour
  • Human trafficking
  • Debt bondage
  • Worker exploitation
  • Unsafe working environments
  • Wage theft
  • Coercion or intimidation
  • Discrimination or harassment
  • Illegal waste export practices
  • Unethical recycling practices
  • Environmental dumping
  • Unlicensed waste handling
  • Exploitative subcontracting arrangements

We are committed to:

  • Fair and lawful employment practices
  • Safe and respectful workplaces
  • Responsible environmental outcomes
  • Ethical sourcing and procurement
  • Transparency within operational and supply chain activities
  • Compliance with Australian workplace and environmental laws
  • Ongoing supplier and contractor due diligence

4. Structure, Operations and Supply Chains

SAEWS primarily operates within South Australia, with support and logistics relationships extending interstate where required.

Our operational activities may involve engagement with:

  • Transport providers
  • Logistics companies
  • Recycling downstream vendors
  • Refurbishment partners
  • IT asset recovery providers
  • Waste processing facilities
  • Equipment resellers
  • Packaging suppliers
  • Contractors and subcontractors
  • Collection and warehouse personnel

We acknowledge that the waste, recycling, manufacturing, electronics, and logistics sectors can present elevated modern slavery and labour exploitation risks, particularly where offshore manufacturing or downstream processing may occur.

Potential risk areas include:

  • Imported electronic equipment manufacturing
  • Offshore recycling streams
  • Informal recycling sectors
  • Labour hire arrangements
  • Freight and transport subcontracting
  • Overseas component processing
  • Low-cost procurement channels
  • Unverified downstream waste processors

5. Risk Identification and Assessment

SAEWS undertakes reasonable and proportionate efforts to identify and assess modern slavery risks within operations and supply chains.

Risk indicators considered include:

Industry Risks

Certain industries inherently carry higher modern slavery risks, including:

  • Electronics manufacturing
  • Waste processing
  • Logistics and freight
  • Recycling industries
  • Labour hire services
  • International supply chains

Geographic Risks

Some countries and regions may have elevated risks relating to:

  • Weak labour protections
  • Corruption
  • Child labour
  • Informal recycling sectors
  • Unsafe working conditions
  • Environmental non-compliance

Supplier Risks

SAEWS considers factors including:

  • Supplier transparency
  • Ethical labour policies
  • Environmental licensing
  • Workplace safety standards
  • Contractor compliance history
  • Reputation and industry conduct

6. Actions Taken to Address Modern Slavery Risks

SAEWS has implemented measures designed to minimise and manage modern slavery risks across operations and supply chains.

These measures include:

Ethical Supplier Selection

Where reasonably practicable, SAEWS seeks to engage suppliers and contractors that:

  • Operate lawfully within Australia
  • Maintain appropriate environmental licences
  • Comply with Fair Work obligations
  • Maintain workplace safety systems
  • Demonstrate ethical labour practices
  • Support responsible recycling and waste handling

Contractor and Supplier Expectations

Suppliers and contractors may be expected to:

  • Comply with Australian labour laws
  • Maintain lawful wages and entitlements
  • Provide safe working conditions
  • Avoid exploitative labour practices
  • Maintain environmental compliance
  • Cooperate with reasonable compliance enquiries

Responsible Recycling and Environmental Controls

SAEWS seeks to ensure e-waste is managed responsibly through:

  • Prioritising reuse and refurbishment where viable
  • Responsible downstream recycling pathways
  • Avoidance of unlawful dumping or export practices
  • Environmentally responsible disposal processes
  • Use of reputable downstream processors where possible

Internal Business Practices

SAEWS supports ethical internal operations through:

  • Fair recruitment practices
  • Non-discriminatory workplace conduct
  • Safe work procedures
  • WHS compliance
  • Respectful workplace expectations
  • Responsible contractor engagement

7. Environmental Responsibility and ESG Commitments

SAEWS recognises the strong connection between environmental harm, unethical waste practices, and human exploitation.

Improper e-waste disposal can contribute to:

  • Unsafe informal recycling
  • Toxic exposure
  • Child labour risks
  • Environmental contamination
  • Illegal dumping activities
  • Unsafe dismantling practices

As part of our ESG and sustainability objectives, SAEWS aims to:

  • Reduce landfill contribution
  • Promote responsible recycling
  • Encourage refurbishment and reuse
  • Extend equipment lifecycle outcomes
  • Reduce environmental impact
  • Support compliant waste handling
  • Promote ethical downstream processing

SAEWS supports the principles of:

  • Circular economy management
  • Responsible resource recovery
  • Environmental stewardship
  • Sustainable asset lifecycle management

8. Workplace Standards

SAEWS is committed to maintaining lawful and ethical workplace standards.

This includes commitments relating to:

  • Fair treatment of workers
  • Equal opportunity principles
  • Safe work environments
  • Compliance with workplace laws
  • Respectful conduct expectations
  • Appropriate training and supervision
  • No tolerance for workplace exploitation

SAEWS expects all personnel, contractors, and associated parties to uphold professional and ethical conduct standards.

9. Reporting Concerns

SAEWS encourages workers, contractors, suppliers, and stakeholders to report concerns relating to:

  • Unsafe work practices
  • Labour exploitation
  • Human rights concerns
  • Environmental misconduct
  • Unethical business conduct
  • Modern slavery risks

Reports may be made confidentially through company management channels.

SAEWS will take reasonable steps to review concerns raised and respond appropriately where required.

10. Due Diligence and Continuous Improvement

SAEWS recognises that managing modern slavery risks is an ongoing process.

We are committed to continuous improvement through:

  • Reviewing operational procedures
  • Monitoring supplier relationships
  • Improving environmental compliance practices
  • Enhancing internal awareness
  • Reviewing downstream recycling pathways
  • Strengthening documentation and record keeping
  • Maintaining compliance with evolving legislation and industry standards

Future initiatives may include:

  • Formal supplier questionnaires
  • Supplier code of conduct implementation
  • Additional ESG reporting measures
  • Enhanced contractor onboarding processes
  • Expanded compliance auditing procedures

11. Compliance with Australian Legislation

SAEWS seeks to operate in accordance with applicable Australian and South Australian legislation, including but not limited to:

  • Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth)
  • Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)
  • Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA)
  • Environment Protection Act 1993 (SA)
  • Environment Protection Regulations
  • Privacy and data protection obligations
  • Applicable transport and waste legislation

This statement is intended to demonstrate SAEWS’ commitment to ethical business practices, environmental responsibility, and lawful operations.

12. Approval and Review

This Modern Slavery Statement has been prepared for South Australian E-Waste Services and reflects the organisation’s current operational commitments and ethical business objectives as of the reporting period listed above.

This statement will be reviewed periodically and updated as operations, legislation, or compliance obligations evolve.

Contact Information

South Australian E-Waste Services (SAEWS)
saews.net
Email: info@saews.net
Phone: 1300 973 566

Disclaimer

This statement is provided as a general operational and ethical commitment document and does not constitute legal advice. Businesses should seek independent legal or compliance advice where formal reporting obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) apply.