Company: HALKBANK
Nomination Submitted by: Business Awards Consulting
Company Description: Halkbank has become one of the steadily growing, well-established, pioneering and respected brands of emerging Turkey, which established in 1938 to support tradesmen, SMEs and to accelerate permanent economic development. Pioneering the development of the Turkish banking sector for 83 years, Halkbank continues its mission of supporting the real sector
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Health, Safety & Environment Program of the Year - in Europe
 Nomination Title: Halkbank Zero Waste Project
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated organization since 1 January 2021, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 192 words used.
Established in 1938 to support tradesmen, SMEs and entrepreneurs and to accelerate persistent economic development, Halkbank has become one of the steadily growing, well-established, pioneering and respected brands of rising Turkey. Embodying the vision of "The Bank of Productive Turkey", Halkbank operates accross the nation with 1,038 branches and 4,075 ATMs.
Halkbank embraces sustainability and environment policies as a corporate strategy. The bank implements operational measures to mitigate the risks associated with climate change, continuously enhances its emission reduction performance, promotes energy efficiency to curtail energy consumption, and minimizes waste generated by its activities. Since 2013, Halkbank has been calculating its corporate carbon footprint and developing strategies to reduce it.
Halkbank actively supports renewable energy and energy efficiency projects through various financial instruments, extending its efforts to combat climate change beyond its own operations.
To minimize environmental impact, reduce energy and natural resource consumption, and establish a standardized framework for environmental policies, Halkbank has integrated the Integrated Management System. This system encompasses the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and the ISO 50001 Energy Management System. Notably, Halkbank is the first Turkish bank to implement the ISO 50001 Energy Management System.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of 2021 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 249 words used.
Since 2016, Halkbank has actively worked towards reducing environmental impacts through waste management, emphasizing waste separation and reduction principles. The Turkish Ministry of Environment and Urbanization's strategic focus on zero waste, coupled with the introduction of new regulations, prompted Halkbank to launch the "Zero Waste Project”, aligning its waste management practices accordingly. This initiative has yielded significant advancements in waste management since 2021, resulting in Halkbank becoming the first Turkish bank to receive a Zero Waste Certificate from the ministry for all 1055 of its service units.
Under the Zero Waste Project, waste at Halkbank's locations throughout Turkey is sorted at the source. All types of waste, like paper, glass, plastic, metal, batteries, organic, electronic, hazardous, and medical waste are properly classified. The collected waste is temporarily stored in designated areas before being sent to licensed disposal or recycling facilities through authorized firms. Recycling packaging waste is sent to recycling facilities for recovery or reuse.
Implementing zero waste practices in companies with a single or few locations is relatively easier. Establishing a common waste management culture in a large infrastructure like Halkbank, which operates with branches in all 81 provinces of Turkey poses challenges. To overcome this, Halkbank has established a unified infrastructure named IKLIM(meaning climate in Turkish) for all its service centers, enabling real-time monitoring of their environmental impact. Each unit has the capability to monitor its own environmental footprint and identify development areas.
Halkbank's consistent efforts and accomplishments demonstrate its dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 250 words used.
Halkbank's Environmental and Energy Management Systems, along with “Zero Waste Project” have yielded remarkable environmental achievements:
-Halkbank has successfully reduced operational carbon emissions by 16%, demonstrating its commitment to combatting climate change.
-Halkbank has contributed to circular economy by segregating and recycling 4,500 tons of household waste and 2,000 tons of recyclable materials such as paper, glass, plastic, and metal.
-Zero Waste Project has resulted in reduction of 227,794 kg of greenhouse gas emissions, saving 8.4 million kWh of energy, conserving 13,000 barrels of oil, and preserving 15,314 trees since its inception until end of 2022.
-Halkbank has achieved substantial progress in waste reduction. Amount of household waste, which was 1,265 tons in 2020, has been impressively reduced by 39% in 2021 and an additional 20.5% in 2022, leading to an overall improvement of 56% since start of the project.
-Halkbank is dedicated to enhancing employee awareness and knowledge through internal training programs on Environmental and Energy Management Systems and Zero Waste practices. In 2021, approximately 20,000 employees received training, and in 2022, 670 person-hours of refresher training were provided.
-Halkbank's commitment to sustainability is recognized by its inclusion in the BIST Sustainability Index, which showcases companies with high corporate sustainability performance. Furthermore, Halkbank actively supports the Carbon Disclosure Project(CDP) Climate Change and Water Security Program, addressing challenges related to climate change.
-Halkbank is honored with "Zero Waste Social Responsibility Award" by Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change in 2022.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 246 words used.
Apx1: Document: Halkbank Zero Waste Project Details
Apx2: Video: Zero Waste Project Video
Apx3: Halkbank Summarized Integrated Annual Report 2022 on Sustainability Vision and Initiatives
In addition to its environmental initiatives, Halkbank is committed to raising social awareness on environmental issues. The bank organizes various activities and training programs to educate and engage the public. Halkbank provides examples of its efforts in this field as supporting documentation.
Apx4: Video: Producing Women Meetings- Zero Waste Panels
Halkbank executed Productive Women Meetings in 7 regions of Turkey to raise awareness and encourage women entrepreneurs; In these meetings, Halkbank tried to spread the awareness of recycling and environmental awareness in the society with panels on "Zero Waste". You can access the video with short summaries of the Zero Waste panels.
Apx5: Video: Halkbank Recycling Ambassadors
Halkbank believes waste management and recycling awareness starts at early ages. With this vision Halkbank organized "Recycling Ambassadors" event on April 23, National Sovereignty and Children's Day to raise environmental awareness and recycling awareness for children.
Apx6: Video: Halkbank Environmental Awareness Films
Halkbank uses all important days such as World Environment Day and Water Day as an opportunity to raise social awareness about the environment. Examples of films prepared for this purpose have been compiled in a single video.
Apx7: Video: Halkbank Energy Management System and Energy Awareness Films
In this video, you can find examples of informative films released by Halkbank to raise awareness about the energy management system and efficient energy use.
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