Mirvac and Green Connect have won the 2024 National Social Procurement Impact Partnership Award from Social Traders for their focus on sustainability, waste diversion, and ethical labour hire. The partnership has made a strong social and environmental impact, helping reduce landfill waste and providing jobs to people from marginalised communities.

Since 2020, Mirvac has engaged Green Connect, a certified social enterprise to manage over 41 waste audits across Mirvac’s buildings and tenancies in Sydney and the Australian Capital Territory. This process gives Mirvac accurate data on their waste streams and a comprehensive report, including specific recommendations to improve their diversion of waste from landfill.

The waste audits are contributing to Mirvac’s goal of sending zero waste to landfill by 2030. In FY24, Mirvac was able to recycle 66% of its total operational waste. Approximately 250 casual staff from Green Connect have been employed to assist with waste auditing for Mirvac.

“Over $250,000 worth of funding has been provided through this partnership with Mirvac. These funds have been critical to stabilising our social enterprise and supporting the Work Readiness training programs we run for refugees, young unemployed and Indigenous Australians,” said Robert Servine, General Manager at Green Connect.

“We’re thrilled to receive the 2024 National Social Procurement Impact Partnership of the Year. Relationships are extremely important in business success, and we would like to thank Mirvac for working with us to achieve a common goal towards zero waste. And thank you to Social Traders for their continued support to help social enterprises grow and thrive in the sector.”

This winning partnership fosters inclusive employment while reinforcing Mirvac’s commitment to directing $100 million to the social sector by 2030 and achieving zero waste. The collaboration with Green Connect highlights how strategic partnerships can drive both positive environmental and social outcomes through social procurement.

“It’s been a highlight of my career working with Green Connect and Social Traders. During these turbulent times, it’s inspiring to see what social enterprises are doing within the community. Working with Green Connect has been an absolute joy. They’re a wonderful team that provides us with excellent service.

It’s heartwarming and inspiring to see how we, as a corporate, can work with social enterprises like Green Connect in creating successful and meaning partnerships,” commented Kim Host, Resource Recovery Manager at Mirvac.

Social procurement is a practical solution for addressing the ‘S’ in ESG and helping with sustainability goals. This is where organisations actively direct their spending to suppliers such as certified social enterprises to create social and environmental impact.

Commenting on the award, Tara Anderson CEO at Social Traders shared, “Congratulations to Green Connect and Mirvac on winning this award. Their partnership is a fantastic example of collaboration at its best – creating impact outcomes for people and planet. Over the years, we’ve enabled 300+ business and government agencies to buy from certified social enterprises. And clearly report on the impact created from their procurement spend.”

“There’s still much more to do. We’ve built a network of 4,500 people – all working towards building a fairer and more sustainable economy. Let's continue to take big steps forward and change the way we do business, where purpose and profit are not mutually exclusive but mutually reinforcing.”