Section SOCIETY
TOPIC

OTE GROUP
Collaboration with the "Mediterranean SOS" Network for the initiative #zeroplastic


OTE Group took the initiative to eliminate single-use plastics in its buildings and facilities in 2019, participating in the international movement to eliminate single-use plastics. The "Mediterranean SOS" Network is the scientific partner of the Group mainly in matters of information and training of employees and culture change in relation to the consumption of single-use plastic.

The initiative is the #ZEROPLASTIC project and includes a series of actions. The most important objectives are the following

• The abolition of single-use plastic cups in OTE Group facilities, within 2019 (canteens, restaurants, water coolers, kitchens).

• The reduction by 50% in 2019 and by 75% in 2020 of single-use plastic bottles.

• The replacement of the plastic bag with paper in COSMOTE and GERMANOS stores throughout Greece within 2019.

• The awareness of all employees and future #ZEROPLASTIC ambassadors of the Group, through informative actions, to reduce the use of plastic in their daily lives, but also to recycle properly.

The cooperation with the "Mediterranean SOS" Network provides the OTE Group with the know-how, expertise and information to achieve the above goals.
 

To the employees of the OTE Group, to the partners (restaurants, canteens) and to the customers of its network of stores.


Cooperation with the "Mediterranean SOS" Network includes:

The contribution as a scientific partner in the creation of material for training/informing employees. More specifically, a digital game was created through which users can be informed in an intelligent way about their contribution to the "plastic pollution" of the planet and receive in a personalized message their environmental footprint in single-use plastics as well as instructions for reducing its consumption. At the same time, a video was created with useful information on how plastics burden the environment and our health.

In the same context, a voluntary action was implemented to clean the beach of Schinias for the employees of the Group and their families. The workers were informed by the partners of the "Mediterranean SOS" Network about the significant effects of plastic pollution on seas and coasts, on the life of marine mammals and on human health. At the same time, they were informed about the value of proper recycling and then everyone together with special enthusiasm proceeded to clean the beach. The participation of the young children who are the "tomorrow" citizens of our society was impressive.

Continuous support and training from members of the Mediterranean SOS Network to the "Environmental Ambassadors" group of volunteer workers, who, together with the project managers, participate in the information and awareness actions of the workers through informative meetings, which will be implemented in all the facilities starting from the Administrative OTE building (already > 40% of employees have been informed with individual updates ~1,200 employees).
 

MEDITERRANEAN SOS

Creation of a Group of employee volunteers "Environmental Ambassadors", to support the project and inform/raise the awareness of colleagues through informational meetings that will be implemented in all the facilities starting from the Administrative Headquarters central building of OTE (already > 40% of the employees have been informed with individual updates ~1,200 employees)

The scope of the project concerned 5 important buildings of the Group in which >40% of the employees work and 4 restaurants and 14 canteens operate. In addition, in all facilities that the Group in any way supplied with single-use plastics such as kitchens, coolers, etc. –To date, 84% of the employees in 8 buildings (~8,000) have been informed

Through the above actions in collaboration with the "Mediterranean SOS" Network, but also through all the actions of the #ZEROPLASTIC initiative, have the following been achieved to date:

In total to date 84% of employees in 8 buildings (~8,000) have been informed through an information campaign, digital game, OnLine communication via intranet

> 1200 employees have been trained/informed in informational meetings

Zero consumption of plastic cups from 8/2019 (from 1,800,000/ 2018)

-45% on the use of plastic bottles in 8/2019

-70% on the use of plastic bottles in the 5 main buildings with restaurants and canteens

Abolition of the plastic bag in shops on 10/2019 (from 1,500,000/2018)

Press release and related articles to inform the general public.

The #ZEROPLASTIC initiative has the main goal of changing the culture of employees and the general public regarding issues related to the protection of the environment and specifically the effects of plastic pollution.

In total to date 84% of employees in 8 buildings (~8,000) have been informed through an information campaign, digital game, OnLine communication via intranet

> 1200 employees have been trained/informed in informational meetings

Zero consumption of plastic cups from 8/2019 (from 1,800,000/ 2018)

-45% on the use of plastic bottles in 8/2019

-70% on the use of plastic bottles in the 5 main buildings with restaurants and canteens Abolition of the plastic bag in shops on 10/2019 (from 1,500,000/2018)

Press release and related articles to inform the general public.