How smart collaboration strengthens sustainable procurement

by Lucy Hattingh, Senior Bid Development Manager UK, SUEZ

Sustainable procurement is becoming central to how waste and resource management companies deliver value for customers, communities, and the environment. For SUEZ, it is not just a compliance exercise; it ensures that every pound we spend supports our environmental goals, strengthens communities, and drives long‑term value. With much of our supply chain consisting of small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs), we recognise that true sustainability starts with inclusive, responsible, and forward‑thinking purchasing decisions. The close partnership between our Public Sector Development (PSD) bid team and the Procurement team ensures that each tender opportunity is backed by supply chains that are ethical, resilient, and aligned with our net‑zero goals.

Why collaboration matters

Together, we build solutions that integrate environmental performance, social value, supplier diversity, and robust governance. The Procurement Team contributes market intelligence, supplier assessments, ESG insights, and due diligence findings, while the PSD team converts this into clear, credible commitments and implementation plans.

A key focus of our collaboration is ethical risk management. By engaging suppliers early, we conduct thorough screenings for risks such as labour exploitation and modern slavery, ensuring that ethical considerations are embedded alongside performance criteria. This shared diligence not only protects the integrity of our supply chain but also provides local authorities with confidence that bids include only ethical and responsible suppliers.

Sustainable procurement in local authorities

Local authorities are increasingly placing sustainable procurement at the centre of their commissioning strategies, recognising its power to stimulate local economies, strengthen communities, and accelerate environmental goals. Their priorities frequently include increasing local spend, supporting SMEs, and delivering tangible social value - from job creation and skills development to community investment and carbon reduction. By working closely with our Procurement team, the PSD team ensures every proposal is aligned with these ambitions. Early supplier engagement allows us to identify high‑quality local SMEs and demonstrate how their inclusion can boost local economic resilience while reducing supply‑chain emissions through shorter transport routes and more efficient delivery models. This alignment not only supports the council’s strategic objectives but also strengthens our bids by showing a clear, evidence-based commitment to delivering outcomes that matter most to the communities we serve.

Championing SMEs for a greener supply chain

SMEs make up an impressive 71% of our supply chain, and their agility, innovation, and local expertise are vital to how we deliver projects. Many are pioneers in circular economy solutions, low‑carbon technologies, and community-focused delivery. Through joint working, the PSD and Procurement teams ensure these suppliers are identified early and positioned effectively within bids. This strengthens our value propositions while supporting economic growth and social value in local communities. It also ensures that sustainability is embedded at every level - not just through big strategic purchases, but through the small, local suppliers who help us deliver high-impact results.

Embedding sustainability and ethical assurance into every bid

Our collaborative approach means sustainability is built into bids from day one. The Procurement Team provides tools and frameworks that help assess carbon emissions, resource efficiency, lifecycle impacts, and environmental performance. But equally important is the focus on people.

Equally critical is our commitment to safeguarding human rights. Through rigorous due diligence, supplier questionnaires, risk‑based screening, and ongoing monitoring, we ensure suppliers meet the highest ethical standards. The PSD team uses this intelligence to present clients with transparent, evidence‑based commitments—demonstrating not only how we reduce environmental impact, but how we protect human rights and promote safe, fair working conditions across all tiers of the supply chain.

This alignment ensures our bids are both ambitious and deliverable, grounded in real capability and responsible practice. Feedback from live projects continuously informs and refines our strategies, enabling us to stay ahead of evolving sustainability expectations.

Conclusion

The partnership between the PSD Team and the Procurement team is central to delivering meaningful sustainability outcomes. By combining strategic insight with operational expertise, we’re able to create bids that not only meet client expectations but push the boundaries of responsible procurement. With a supply chain built on strong SME participation and shared environmental values, we’re well placed to continue delivering projects that support a cleaner, more sustainable future.

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