In our previous post Corporate Social Responsibility. The idea of CSR presents basic issues regarding CSR - definition, idea, tools and benefits of using this management strategy. In our series of entries about corporate social responsibility, we will focus mainly on care for the environment and ecological aspects. Below we present interesting examples of good CSR practices that have been used by companies on the Polish market.
Flower meadows
Establishing an apiary and planting flower meadows and trees
Since 2019, ALDI has continued cooperation with Klub Gaja. ALDI has become a strategic partner of the Tree Festival - a program that is one of the most famous ecological initiatives of this organization. Klub Gaja, in cooperation with the State Forests, selected the planting area, the best seedlings, and carried out their planting campaign. Additionally, in 2021, the ALDI chain planted flower meadows next to stores with a total area of over 500 sq m.
Unlike grasses, flower meadows provide insects with nutritious pollen and nectar. The meadow also provides space for living and reproduction, and in winter, shelter for various animal species. It helps store water because it has longer roots than grasses. Plants growing in meadows better capture dust that creates smog and also lower the air temperature. Further campaigns are planned for children, which will help them understand how important bees are to people and the environment. Hardworking insects provide much more than sweet honey.
Thanks to cooperation with Klub Gaja, over 10,000 trees were planted within three years. In addition to planting flower meadows, the ALDI chain together with Klub Gaja has set up an educational apiary, the aim of which is to raise awareness and sensitize consumers to the role of bees.
in the lives of people, not only the honey bee, but also wild bees and other pollinating insects.
The company implements an ecological education program not only for the public, but also for employees, who were informed in detail about the importance of trees for our planet and the course of the entire initiative. Cooperation with Klub Gaja brings long-term effects and will have a positive impact on the environment.
ALDI planted flower meadows and created an educational apiary
Care for biodiversity
As part of caring for biodiversity, employees of Anpharm – Pharmaceutical Company have undertaken various initiatives:
- reputable plant nursery (sharing/exchanging) house and garden plants,
- employee garden - on the premises of the plant, nectaropinous plants (lavender) and other plants are planted, e.g. crocuses, pumpkins, herbs,
- adopting three bee families and sharing honey with employees.
What are the benefits of these activities?
- sensitizing employees to environmental issues,
- the ability to have a real impact on the environment through specific actions,
- 250 jars (100 ml) of honey distributed to employees,
- 300 bouquets from the lavender harvest distributed to employees and guests.
The most important benefit, however, is increasing the biodiversity of the local environment by saving bees, which has a positive impact on the environment and ecology.
Lavender is a melliferous or nectar-producing plant.
Bees obtain nectar and pollen from it, which is then collected and pollinated.
Insect hotels
To preserve biodiversity and balance in nature, Citi Handlowy Bank built insect hotels. Shelters for them were installed on trees in Warsaw at ul. Senatorska and Goleszowska and on the roofs of office buildings in Olsztyn
and Warsaw. In the summer, the houses provide insects with a place to sleep and shelter, and in the fall, a place to overwinter.
The project, communicated internally, was intended to build ecological awareness among employees. Moreover, its goal is to build biodiversity, both in Warsaw and Olsztyn. These types of places intended for insects help them in the survival and extension of the species. This has a positive impact on the local environment and shaping biodiversity in specific locations.
An insect hotel provides shelter for various species of insects and allows them to build nests. Insects will find a place to lay eggs, shelter from animals, rain, frost or simply a place to rest at night.
Anniversary Actions – 25 rain barrels and filling 250 garbage bags
25 rain barrels is one of the anniversary campaigns celebrating the company's 25th anniversary. Institutions and offices received rainwater barrels from Ecol-Group, including: Primary School in Kobylanka, Płock, Rumia, Postomin and Gdańsk, Kindergarten in Kamień Pomorski, barrels were also installed at the Waterworks in Legnica and Oświęcim. 3 barrels were donated to the Biznes dla Klimatu Foundation, which organized the competition.
The barrels are used not only for the actual collection of rainwater, but also for ecological education of young people and promoting the idea of small retention and showing its great importance. 25 barrels for the 25th anniversary is an activity of the Ecol group to promote pro-ecological attitudes, ecological education and action for the water environment.
A rainwater tank will not only enable efficient collection and storage of rainwater during drought, but it can also be an excellent way to reduce water bills.
Another anniversary event of the same group was the collection of 250 bags of garbage. Leaders of production plants organized a campaign to clean the area during work and encouraged people to take a bag with them in their free time, e.g. during family walks, and collect garbage lying in forests and beaches. Thus, employees worked together for the benefit of our natural environment, promoting a pro-ecological attitude.
The group's employees shared the results of the collections in a thread created especially for this purpose in the Yammer application. They posted photos, described the cleaned area and congratulated each other on a job well done. Taking into account the entire campaign from the beginning of 2021 to the end of September, over 500 bags of garbage were collected.
Collecting and processing waste will help protect the environment and save the Earth's resources, which are limited.
#BiznesBezPapieru campaign
EFL (European Leasing Fund) joined the #BiznesBezPapieru campaign in cooperation with Asseco Poland and Asseco Data Systems to show the benefits of digitalization and how effectively it affects business. The company wants to promote its digitization processes and campaign partners, share expert knowledge on how to digitize business processes and encourage an ecological approach in business.
Promotion primarily on social media channels. Monthly publication of posts. The average reach of a post in paid traffic is over 24,000, and the views are over 25,000. The total reach of this campaign is over 113,000 and the views are over 181,000.
In cooperation with Asseco Data Systems, EFL improved service to its clients by implementing:
- video verification using biometric methods,
- remote contract signing process,
- electronic signature,
- electronic document circulation.
EFL shares case studies of implementations and educates companies that have not yet started the digitization process.
Electronic document circulation means saving time and money, order and better organization of work, quick access to documentation resources and high protection of the data contained therein.
An ecological mural supporting diversity and purifying the air
T-Mobile has created a recruitment campaign that will also help Warsaw breathe better. On the wall of the building at ul. An ecological mural with an area of 237 sq m appeared at Chmielna 98, which helps purify the air of harmful substances.
All thanks to the use of special photocatalytic paints, which, thanks to the content of titanium dioxide, neutralize various microorganisms and pollutants under the influence of light, including sulfur and nitrogen oxides that are hazardous to health. In addition to having a positive impact on the health of residents, the mural fulfills another important task - it reminds us of the important role that diversity plays, not only in the workplace.
An important element is also the support of two key aspects of the company's responsible business strategy. First of all, ecology - replacing the traditional form of advertising (billboard) with an ecological and innovative form. Secondly, the company's approach to DE&I was widely communicated. The mural depicting five very different people united by their love of technology reflects the company's approach and attitude to diversity.
The ecological mural cleanses the air of microorganisms and pollutants thanks to the use of photocatalytic paints.
Another very interesting implementation is an ecological mural on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of Totalizator Sportowy. A mural by Tytus Brzozowski was created on the walls of the building in Prague. The mural design presents a compilation of many elements and areas important for Totalizator Sportowy, expressed, among others, by: through characters and objects from the world of sports and culture.
The mural initiative is a continuation and development of the company's internal project #GramyDlaNatury, under which the company takes actions for the natural environment.
The company primarily tries to promote knowledge about the natural environment, but also shows an innovative approach to its protection - an ecological mural.
This mural has an area of 690 m², which is equivalent to the air purifying power of 650 trees. Over 280 liters of various types of paints and primers were used to paint it - neutralizing nitrogen oxides and reducing air pollution with harmful formaldehyde.
Energy-saving LED lighting in every OBI store
In 2021, OBI completed the project of replacing the lighting with energy-saving LEDs in all 59 stores and offices of the chain. The replacement concerned both sales halls, social rooms and offices. Replacing lighting with LEDs allows you to significantly reduce electricity consumption, and therefore reduces environmental nuisance. LED lighting is also a benefit for employees - it helps create a better working environment.
Thanks to the replacement of lighting, electricity consumption was significantly reduced, which is confirmed by internal reports kept by the company. Replacing lighting with LED means:
- reducing electricity consumption (ten times less energy consumption than ordinary incandescent lamps)
- less environmental impact – LED lamps do not contain any toxic materials such as mercury or other metals hazardous to the environment and are 100% recyclable, helping to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
- creating a friendly working environment – the chemical compounds contained in LEDs are neutral to the environment.
Installation of drinking water sources in 15 educational institutions in Łódź
One of the most important challenges related to reducing the negative effects of climate change is reducing the production and consumption of plastic. Many people are still used to buying water and drinks in plastic bottles. Mass of waste
plastic collected within urban management systems is counted in thousands of tons. Additional air pollution is generated when beverages are transported to consumers.
Therefore, in cooperation with the city of Łódź and the Łódź ZWIK, SEGRO installed drinking water dispensers in 15 educational institutions and distributed water bottles among young people to encourage them not to buy bottled water or drinks. The action is intended to build ecological awareness and convince students to drink tap water, and at the same time reduce the use of plastic, and thus contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
The entire campaign is aimed at introducing healthy eating and ecological habits, as well as, in the long run, reducing plastic consumption and, consequently, reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
According to the "Right2Water" document, European Union member states will soon have to, among other things, provide free access to drinking water in public buildings, and tap water should be suitable for direct consumption.
The above examples may inspire and encourage the implementation of similar solutions in other companies or institutions. Let us remember that we have a direct impact on the environment and its protection. By taking even the smallest pro-ecological actions, we come closer to a sustainable life in harmony with our planet.
