BUSINESS: 387 PRACTICES
Polyeco is the first and sole integrated and fully licensed waste management and valorization industry in Greece.
Read more: www.polyeco.gr
Polyeco is committed to reducing its environmental footprint by creating a clear and transparent roadmap with actions focused on clean energy management and production, as well as the promotion of the circular economy. In doing so, the company contributes to the decarbonization of its activities and to achieving the National and European targets for addressing Climate Change.
Incorporating the scientific principles of climate change adaptation and mitigation, we apply sustainable practices within and beyond our facilities to achieve a 30% reduction in our carbon footprint by 2030.
Within this framework, we have achieved the following:
- We monitor greenhouse gas emission sources, record the results, and develop a dynamic set of actions based on our annual findings.
- We certify the above in accordance with ISO 14064-1 and the requirements of the National Climate Law 4936/2022.
- We certify our operations and infrastructure according to ISO 14001:2015 for environmental management and ISO 50001:2018 for energy management.
The results of our actions, carbon footprint reports, and our Sustainability Report (ESG Report) are addressed to all our stakeholders, analyzed at three levels:
- Within the company’s value chain, including clients, suppliers, and partners, ensuring accuracy in data exchange and the creation of real value at every stage of collaboration. Cooperation with all members of the value chain ensures that each party records its share of emissions and assumes responsibility for them, supporting fair achievement of emission reduction targets.
- To the broader group of Polyeco’s stakeholders, as the results and goals are presented in the annual ESG Report, aligned with the Environmental (E) pillar and the company’s environmental performance, while also connected to the Social (S) and Governance (G) pillars, reflecting Polyeco’s increased social responsibility and transparency obligations.
- At an institutional level, the results are presented in official company reports (e.g., annual Environmental Declaration to the Ministry of Environment and Energy, ESG Report) and in Environmental Impact Assessments, in accordance with the new Climate Law. All documentation is available to the competent authorities, ensuring compliance with the company’s enhanced regulatory obligations.
Our actions for carbon footprint reduction began in 2019 (base year according to the National Climate Law) and extend to 2030 in the short term. In the long term, our vision extends to 2050, aiming for full decarbonization of our operations.
The results of our carbon footprint reduction roadmap are as follows:
Polyeco Carbon Footprint (absolute values for Scope 1 & 2 emissions):
Βy converting the above emission quantities to the unit of managed waste (hazardous and non-hazardous), the company’s carbon footprint per ton of managed product for Scope 1 & 2 emissions is calculated:
The above demonstrate that Polyeco has achieved a 19.5% reduction in absolute greenhouse gas emissions and a 37.6% reduction per ton of managed waste from 2019 to 2024.
Thus, on the path toward a 30% reduction by 2030, Polyeco remains on track, having already exceeded the target of the National Climate Law. However, the company continues to commit to systematic, continuous monitoring and third-party verification of its emissions data.
Additionally, Polyeco is committed to designing and investing in a range of innovative actions focused on decarbonization across five strategic axes:
- Energy efficiency improvements in buildings and production equipment.
- Renewable energy installations, primarily photovoltaic systems on facility rooftops.
- Sustainable mobility initiatives, including fleet upgrades and drivers training.
- Development of a carbon neutrality study targeting 2050.
- Innovative actions such as remote energy management and digitalization efforts to phase out paper use.
The implementation of the carbon reduction roadmap has led to significant and measurable results.
Specifically, it resulted in a 19.5% reduction in absolute greenhouse gas emissions and a 37.6% reduction in emissions per ton of managed waste from 2019 to 2024, positioning the company as a more climate-friendly player in its market.
This initiative has strengthened Polyeco’s environmental identity, highlighting the company’s values and priorities, which are inherently linked to sustainable development and environmental protection.
At the same time, we actively contribute to the awareness and engagement of our stakeholders across the value chain, conveying a clear message about the need for responsible climate action shared by all.
Through transparent communication and publication of our sustainability reports, we project our corporate strategy for sustainable development, confirming that environmental protection remains a core priority across all operations and the foundation of our value chain.
The emissions assessment covered all company facilities in Aspropyrgos, Mandra (Attica), and Thessaloniki.
The carbon footprint reduction strategy is implemented with the active support of the Management Team, which has set as a strategic goal the transition to a “green” value chain across all Polyeco services. All company departments contributed to this process, aligned with a shared vision for 2030.
Technical and scientific support was provided by the Sustainable Development Consultants.
Polyeco’s carbon reduction strategy is a collaborative effort involving the active participation of most company employees and management:
- Management defines the overall strategy and goals.
- Employees provide critical data and insights for the implementation of energy-saving actions, while technical teams research, analyze, and apply low-carbon technologies, improve energy efficiency, and reduce energy consumption.
The decarbonization of our services is a strategic growth priority for Polyeco, delivering multiple benefits for the company and its stakeholders. By creating added value while minimizing climate and environmental risks, we achieve:
- Energy and fuel savings.
- Competitive performance in a low-carbon economy.
- Smooth transition to a low-carbon economy.
- Diversification of the energy mix, risk mitigation, and long-term cost reduction by offsetting CO2 emissions and substituting fossil fuels in line with EU and national legislation.
- Strengthening synergies among our partners’ business activities within the value chain, sharing a common vision to address Climate Change through shared values and actions, as well as collaborations focused on the evaluation, transparency, and sustainability of each partner’s supply chain.
