Campaigns

Social Value

Check out the Social Value playlist on ESA's YouTube channel!

Challenges posed by a growing and aging population, economic volatility, and global supply chain issues, means that public services are experiencing funding pressures. As a result, trade-offs must be made to prioritise statutory services. In this context, it is crucial that core public services, such as recycling and waste management, go beyond their traditional roles and contribute to wider societal benefits by integrating social value into their procurement and service delivery processes.

The Environmental Services Association (ESA) and its members recognise the increasing significance of social value as a means to understand, measure, and address the impact of the services we provide. These impacts have far-reaching outcomes for stakeholders, including employees, communities, the environment, and the local and national economy.

To actively promote the integration of social value, the ESA has developed a Social Value Charter. This charter serves as both a mission statement for ESA members and a framework to guide service providers and commissioners in incorporating social value into their procurement strategies and service delivery models.

By embracing the principles outlined in the Social Value Charter, ESA members commit to going beyond their core responsibilities to generate positive social, environmental, and economic outcomes. This entails:

• considering the needs and aspirations of stakeholders,
• fostering social inclusion,
• supporting local communities,
• minimizing environmental impact, 
• contributing to the overall well-being of society.

The ESA firmly believes that by embedding social value into recycling and waste management practices, the sector can play a transformative role in addressing societal challenges while delivering essential public services. Through collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to social value, we can create a more sustainable and inclusive future for all.