With the objective to reduce our environmental footprint
Alpha Bank adopts a responsible environmental conduct in its daily operation, aimed at minimising its environmental footprint. To this end, the Bank strives to ensure the rational use of energy in all its installations.
The Bank seeks to constantly improve its environmental performance related to its activities,such as electricity consumption and the consequent release of pollutants, use of printed matter and paper, use of drums and toners, water consumption, fuel consumption for transportation needs related to its activities and the consequent CO2 emissions.
The Bank applies an Environmental Management System that is certified according to the standards of EN ISO 14001:2015.
The Environmental Management System in the Bank encompasses activities in all areas, with the aim to improve environmental footprint:
Energy conservation
The Bank, monitors regularly and seeks to reduce the consumption of electricity, water and petrol, and in parallel minimises waste production (recycling or removal).In all new Buildings, as well as in renovating old ones, particular care is taken to take advantage of natural light.
LED lighting
The Bank follows closely the advancements in LED lighting technology and has already replaced lighting sources with corresponding LED ones in selected Branches and Main Buildings.Paper Policy
It is the Bank's standing policy to invest in computer systems and modify procedures so as to take advantage of electronic communication, both within and outside the Bank, with the aim of restricting the use of paper-based files to the minimum necessary.
For the last five years, the Bank has been using low energy consumption, 75gr/m2 “eco-efficient” PEFC certified copier paper purchased from large, ISO 14001 certified paper mills. The consumption of paper per Employee must correspond to the absolutely necessary needs and the amount spent on paper supplies is set on an annual basis for each Division. Waste paper, both shredded and non-shredded, is collected for recycling.
In the Branches, non-bleached, 100% recyclable paper hand towels are used.
Recycling and management of polluting materials
The Bank collaborates with specialist certified firms for the removal and recycling of materials (paper, plastic, aluminium, batteries, toners, lamps, electromechanical equipment etc.).
Suppliers
The companies from which the Bank purchases cleaning materials and the firms assigned with cleaning work are contractually bound to supply and/or use materials which as a minimum are approved by the National Chemical Laboratory and, if possible, be Ecolabel certified.
In purchasing supplies for printing and IT equipment, the priority is to opt for refurbished toners and drums.
In what concerns purchases of fixed equipment of considerable value, suppliers are required to provide evidence of their participation in the system for the alternative management of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
Buildings
The Branches undergo complete renovation, to ensure that use is made of the latest systems and infrastructure.
The Bank respects the architectural heritage of each area, attaches particular significance to retaining the local character upon building or renovating its Branches, and always uses modern, environment-friendly materials.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that the Building at 103 Athinon Ave., with a total area of 20,000 sq.m., has been designated as bioclimatic, according to a study carried out by the Physics Department of the University of Athens. The architectural design seeks to optimise the use of sunlight and incident wind, taking into account the Βuilding’ s orientation. Suitable apertures and fans regulate the penetration of sunlight and the inflow of air in order to warm or cool, respectively, the building’s indoor areas. Environment-friendly energy systems in buildings refer mainly to the use of heat exchangers to take advantage of the energy which otherwise would be released to the environment, and to the use of automated Building Management Systems for monitoring and regulating the building’s climatic parameters.