ENVIRONMENT

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the European Union and only 1/3 of the WEEE is recycled through approved systems. Unsafe WEEE treatment poses a risk to human health and the environment due to their content in hazardous substances and heavy metals (e.g. lead and mercury). WEEE has been identified for the financial institutions as the most important direct hazardous waste stream and therefore it requires safe management to avoid environmental degradation.

In Eurobank, environmental protection and minimizing our environmental footprint are key objectives, which are implemented through the application of the strict environmental standards of our Environmental Policy.

We recognize the direct impacts of our operations and we are committed to minimize waste generation and to monitor waste streams. 

In this context, Eurobank implements the Recycling of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Program based on the approach:

• Reduction of waste production – Equipment maintenance
• Reuse and Donations
• Recycling

The WEEE that may arise from Eurobank banking operations are personal computers, telecommunications equipment, lighting fixtures and lamps, batteries and accumulators, large and small household appliances as well as ATM machine. With a scope to increase the lifecycle of the equipment, the non-functional Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) is centrally collected for sorting. The equipment that can be repaired is prepared for reuse, and in the case it does not meet the Bank’s specifications, is donated to other institutions and organizations. The non-repairable EEE is characterized as WEEE and is entirety recycled following optimum environmental standards by an authorized organization of the Hellenic Recycling Agency. Furthermore, equipment batteries and accumulators along with lamps are also 100% recycled by authorized recycling companies. Furthermore, battery recycling bins are located at a number of collection points at the Bank and lamp collection points at the administration buildings, which allow employees to recycle at their workplace.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recycling Program supports the European Union's Action Plan for the Circular Economy, according to which products and materials should remain in the economy for as long as possible and at the same time minimize waste generation. Eurobank recognizes that its essential to minimize waste production and is a key component of its Environmental Management System. It should be noted that Eurobank is the first Bank in Greece with ISO 14001 environmental management certification (since 2004) and one of the few in Europe, while at the same time it is the first Greek Bank (since 2009) registered with the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). The annual goal of Eurobank's Environmental Management System for waste minimization is the 100% recycling of WEEE.

The Program contributes to the achievement of the UN's 17 World Sustainable Development Goals by minimizing health and environmental impacts.