BUSINESS: 295 PRACTICES
Quest Holdings SA is the parent company of the Quest Group, one of the largest groups of companies in Greece, with a strong presence in the sectors of Digital Technologies, E-Commerce, Electronic Transactions, Green Energy, as well as Courier Services and Postal Services.
Supply chain, employees, customers
2011 until today
The Quest Group operates with an awareness of its environmental responsibility and systematically adjusts its business practice with the aim of protecting the environment. Through its Environmental Policy, it ensures that the commercial operation of the companies burdens the natural environment as little as possible and is in accordance with Greek/European legislation. The environmental principles it adopts are based on the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, while the European Union's environmental initiatives are closely monitored. The 3 largest companies of the Group, Info Quest Technologies, Uni Systems and ACS, implement an integrated environmental management system, certified according to ISO 14001:2015.
We systematically implement actions to upgrade the building and technological infrastructure, such as: replacement of lamps with LED technology, replacement of old energy-consuming devices with new ones with lower consumption, installation of sensors in common areas, systematic maintenance of refrigerators, etc. We have also installed photovoltaics on the roofs of two buildings with a capacity of 190 kW, for the production of compensatory green energy. The companies Info Quest Technologies, Uni Systems and ACS, proceeded with an energy review study (Ν4342/2015, Minister of State 178679) and an evaluation and implementation of improvement actions.
The Group has a contract with the licensed device and packaging recycling systems and always fulfills its obligations. It implements paper, battery, tire, oil and light bulb recycling programs and encourages its workforce to actively participate. The Standard Recycling Procedure provides guidance for companies to coordinate how they collect materials and improve efficiency. It is noted that in all buildings there are material recycling bins, while in the last year special bins have been added for disposing of masks.
At the same time, the operation of a rainwater collection system in one of the Group's buildings continues and its utilization for irrigation.
As part of the digital transformation, a project is being implemented to digitize document/contract management processes and implement digital signatures, leading to a significant reduction in the use of paper. Uni Systems also implements a centralized print management system, with significant benefits in limiting resource usage.
In addition, Info Quest Technologies, Uni Systems and iSquare, from 2018, proceeded to replace single-use plastic items - glasses, straws, stirrers - with biodegradable products.
ACS is progressing annually to more accurately measure its carbon footprint, following the guidelines of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (Scope 1-2-3). It also systematically replaces part of its fleet and the fleet of its partners with newer and less polluting technology vehicles. It chooses the most appropriate combination of technology, capacity and fuel type for its trucks, replaces the two-wheelers with new, low-emission ones, while studying the application of electrification in part of the fleet, with a pilot application in some stores.
ACS in the new state-of-the-art sorting center expected to be completed at the end of 2021, has taken care to operate with a reduced environmental footprint. Finally, it actively supports the work of environmental protection initiatives, such as the "Mediterranean SOS" Network and the Hellenic Society for Environment and Culture.
The Group's ICT companies design and implement modern technology solutions that contribute to the digital transformation and automation of processes, leading, among other things, to their customers and to the reduction of the environmental footprint. Indicatively, the solutions concern Cloud services, consolidation/virtualization, Modern Workpalce/remote work, integrated smart building systems, digital distribution of services, as well as interconnected products for the consumer market (Internet of Things), which help to better manage electrical devices.
In the context of circular economy initiatives, ICT companies participate in manufacturers' equipment retirement programs, while through Service and upgrade services they extend the life of products.
Quest Group Company Buildings. Customers and Partners.
Department of Climate Change and Sustainable Development Services of EY Greece for measuring the carbon footprint of ACS, ABS Quality Evaluations Inc. for the Environmental Management System, Licensed recycling companies, Private entities for energy consumption reduction applications
In the Group, a campaign is implemented to motivate employees to reduce the use of resources (reduce) and use multi-purpose materials (reused caps) with eco challenge actions and mobilization towards a more ecologically friendly lifestyle, indicating simple ways and ideas that everyone can apply in their everyday life. In addition, the collection bins for materials to be recycled have increased.
Environmentally friendly use of energy, saving resources
