Green start with Postbank

Postbank marked the first anniversary of its program for environmental corporate responsibility, Green Start with Postbank. At an official ceremony the bank acknowledged its employees of most active environmental contribution. These have authored the most original and sustainable projects that integrate environment responsibility into the day-to-day activities of the bank, as part of an internal competition among the branch network of Postbank that started earlier this year. The winners were personally awarded by Mr. Anthony Hassiotis, CEO of the Postbank.

The first-prize winners were distinguished for their commitment to a multitude of social and environmental projects. One of their outstanding initiatives included a volunteer project that aimed to foster environmentally responsible behavior in visually challenged children by means of a sensory garden with a selection of fragrant tree species. The pro-active winning team proposed changes in the internal procedures of the bank related to reducing the paper printing of written statements for business clients. Among awarded projects are the Green Final project, whose initiators have started using entirely computerized archive and documents transfer, and the Electric Diet project. The authors of the projects explain their non-traditional approaches with their ambition not only to reduce their own harmful influence on the environment, but to attract new supporters, as well.  

Project rating and ranking was entrusted to the Green Board of the Bank, which was established a year ago. The Green Board numbers 15 volunteer employees from different departments and branches of the financial institution. It aims to initiate environmental responsibility policies by supporting the activities of the Board of Directors. The leitmotif of this year's activities of the Green board is the first step in the Reduce-Reuse-Recycle strategy, i.e. "Reduce", or lower resources consumption on the premises of Postbank. This inspired the first internal competition for environmentally friendly solutions. As additional criteria in assessing the applications besides their positive effect on the environment, the innovative approach of the team and project feasibility were taken into account.

The Green Start with Postbank program is an internal initiative that is part of the sustainable development strategy of the financial institution. Environment care is among the key priorities of Postbank and its parent-bank Eurobank EFG Group. In 2009, the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum (BBLF) awarded first place in the category "Investor in Environment" to Postbank for its long-term social responsibility campaign Crystal Purity of Pancharevo, which takes place within the framework of the Green Start program. In 2009, EFG Eurobank Greece won the 2009 EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) for Greece.