Before shortlisting waste contractors, verify that your provider holds current NEMA authorisation for every waste stream they will touch — especially medical, clinical, and hazardous categories. A general collection licence is not sufficient for regulated wastes.
Ask how manifests and disposal certificates are issued, in what format, and within what timeframe after collection. Auditors and donors increasingly expect traceability from point of generation to final disposal.
Confirm fleet accountability: GPS tracking, trained drivers, and documented incident response align with ISO 45001 expectations for occupational health and safety.
For institutions and NGOs, check experience with similar programmes: donor reporting, multi-site scheduling, and flexibility when volumes shift seasonally.
Finally, evaluate response times for quotes and escalation paths when schedules change. A partner that treats documentation as seriously as collection will save your team time at audit.