Hanson, as part of the Heidelberg Cement Group is working towards a transparent, sustainable and future-oriented approach to procuring products and services. Hanson selects and evaluates suppliers not only based on economic criteria, but also places importance on social, ethical and environmental performance factors. Responsible sourcing plays a key role in meeting Hanson’s Sustainability Commitments as well as supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

In recent years, Hanson has been working with Social Traders to identify areas where certified social enterprises can become involved in Hanson’s social procurement initiatives.

Since 2022, Hanson has partnered with Whittlesea Community Connections and their certified social enterprise nursery, Nugal Biik Plants and Seeds. Hanson has supported the establishment of the Nugal Biik nursery to assist in delivering Hanson’s land rehabilitation targets at its Wollert Resource Park in Victoria. This partnership involves Nugal Biik collecting seeds from established native vegetation at the Wollert site. They then grow these seeds into saleable plants at the nursery and replant them at Wollert.

In its first year, the nursery team is set to provide more than 10,000 native plants to the Wollert Resource Park. The partnership benefits both parties. Hanson achieves its sustainability goals and continues site rehabilitation and Whittlesea Community Connections and the nursery generate profits to support various activities, including:

• First Nations-led projects such as the Mini, Junior, and Community Rangers program
• Conservation and revegetation efforts in biodiversity areas
• Community-led urban food growing

In addition, Hanson has also been involved in Nugal Biik’s nursery interpretative trail at their nursery site in Wollert. This is a community resource which is dedicated to telling the story of Wurundjeri land management and food production techniques.

Hanson's commitment to supporting Nugal Biik from its early conception demonstrates a willingness to collaborate with and invest in early-stage enterprises. By taking this calculated risk, Hanson has advanced its sustainability goals while fostering a meaningful community partnership.

Looking to deliver on your sustainability goals? Social procurement could be your solution and we can help.