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E5-4
PZU takes initiatives to reduce consumption of raw materials, i.e. water and paper in particular. The second aspect of environmental initiatives is the proper disposal of equipment set for decommissioning.
Paper
PZU takes measures to switch from paper communication to electronic one. The visible benefits of such activities are particularly noticeable in the process of sending motor and agricultural insurance renewals. In 2023, almost one in three clients had already received renewal correspondence electronically, and the rate of consent obtained for contact by this means increased by another 4.24% compared to 2022.
This approach brings real savings, which in the past year amounted to PLN 6.9 million in material costs, printing and shipping services.
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In 2023, the commitment to have at least 50% of the insurance forms in terms of the weight prepared on certified paper, was continued. In connection with this commitment, in 2023, 71% of insurance forms were made on certified paper. All new printing devices have the Blue Angel certificate are equipped with an automatic twosided printing (duplex) module – wherever the specific nature of work permits two-sided printing, it is set as the default printing option.
PZU and PZU Życie systematically reduce the purchase and consumption of office supplies, including paper, and constantly reduce the number of printers used. In 2023, paper was purchased from a paper mill located in Poland, minimizing the carbon footprint of its transport. Additionally, the Discovery paper is produced from the Tasmanian Blue Gum eucalyptus tree which, thanks to a different fiber structure, makes it possible to reach a ca. 37% reduction of the wood used in relation to the commonly used trees, such as maritime pine or paper birch.
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Reduction of the number of printers at PZU and PZU Życie
PZU and PZU Życie apply a sustainable and responsible approach to disposal and reuse of assets following the “5 R” principle. This principle encourages us to use resources responsibly, renew and repair older things to extend the time of their operation:
- Reduce;
- Reuse;
- Recycle;
- Recover;
- Renew.
| Year | Number of printing devices remaining in operation at the end of the calendar year in question | Reduction |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 4,750 | 5.0% |
| 2019 | 4,600 | 3.2% |
| 2020 | 4,540 | 1.3% |
| 2021 | 4,420 | 2.6% |
| 2022 | 4,290 | 2.9% |
| 2023 | 4,180 | 2.6% |
| Year | Quantity (units) |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2,602 |
| 2019 | up to 2,030 |
| 2020 | over 3,000 |
| 2021 | 1,703 |
| 2022 | 1,046 |
| 2023 | 1,224 |
Best practices of subsidiaries
The PZU Group companies cooperate with firms offering the highest waste management standards, confirmed by pertinent environmental certificates. PZU and PZU Życie set their goal to increase recycling in the total number of liquidated assets. In 2024, there is a plan to continue recycling in the total number of liquidated assets should increase again. This ratio is achieved by promoting the sale of assets to employees, external clients or by donating them. Additionally, collections of used mobile phones are held regularly and the devices are sold to a specialized company (recycling).
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Water
Reduction initiatives
The warming of the climate and the increasingly frequent occurrence of droughts in Poland shows what an extremely valuable natural resource water is. Poland is among the countries with scarce water resources, so the PZU Group recognizes its role in protecting water from pollution and unnecessary losses. In addition, it is aware that the risk of a water crisis and loss of biodiversity is closely linked to climate change because rising temperatures are disrupting rainfall patterns and water cycles. Water saving activities are associated largely with distribution of potable water. Since 2018, PZU has been implementing a change in the distribution of water in big plastic bottles to a more sustainable system. Installation of water dispensers using water from the water supply system, use of running water filters or consumption of water directly from the tap in places where water is good to drink, not only optimizes the use of water but also reduces the number of plastic bottles on the market, reduces carbon emissions by eliminating transport and reduces the energy and raw materials needed to manufacture plastic bottles.
Since Q3 2022, Armatura Kraków has been using an efficient system for cooling the water circuit in preparation for painting a radiator, using a chilled water system (chiller). The new solution will save an average of 4,000 m³ of water per year. Water consumption savings depend on weather conditions of the year and air temperatures.
The offer of KFA Armatura also covers faucet series with reduced water consumption (down to a level of 5-6 l/ min). In 2023, nearly 20,000 units were sold. Traditional kitchen and sink faucets consume 12 l/min. Water-saving faucets were sold, including those from the Moza, Logon, Mokait, Abasha collections.
The company’s portfolio also includes the Mungo Faucet with water filtration function. The Mungo Faucet supports users’ ecological attitudes and influences the reduction of the use of plastic water bottles. The filter cartridge for the faucet is installed directly under the sink, and one filter lasts for 6,000 liters of water or a period of 6 months. In 2023, 281 units were sold, which will translate into a an estimated reduction in plastic consumption of 112,000 kg in 2024.
The KFA Armatura brand is conducts an extensive educational project on water conservation. In 2023, its green communication activities reached 500,000 users.
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| PZU | PZU Życie | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | |
| Water [m3] | 38,815 | 43,289 | 16,012 | 19,276 |
| PZU Group | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Water [m3] | 285,117 | 292,878 |
| Year (end) | Number of big bottle dispensers | Number of big bottles | Change in the number of dispensers (y/y) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1,145 | 4,665 | – |
| 2019 | 916 | 3,732 | (20.0)% |
| 2020 | 733 | 2,986 | (20.0)% |
| 20212 | 738 | 3,533 | +0.7% |
| 20223 | 117 | 1,353 | (84.15)% |
| 2023 | 105 | 1,192 | (10.25)% |
2 The increase in the number of big bottle dispensers by 5 units from 2020 is due to increased demand for water as employees returned to stationary work and tap dispenser failures. Starting on 1 April 2022, there has been a gradual replacement of big bottle dispensers with tap water dispensers.
3 A tender procedure for tap water dispensers was commenced in 2021 throughout the entire country at the same time. A new agreement for dispensers was concluded. After the implementation of the agreement, the big bottle dispenser remained only in the facilities where they could not be connected to the water system due to technical or ownership reasons
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E5-5
Assets for decommissioning
In 2022, 15.2 thousand assets (including telephones) set for decommissioning were resold (to employees and external clients), which accounts for more than 53% of liquidated assets.
More than one thousand items were donated to schools, foundations, fire departments and others in need, including telephones, white goods - coffee makers, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, LCD TVs, LCD large format displays/monitors, shredders, projectors, small office equipment. In 2023, these activities continued by increasing the recycling of decommissioned assets. In 2023, 79% of the furniture in PZU and PZU Życie was recycled (of which 78% was sold and 22% was donated). In addition, 50% of liquidated household appliances were sold.
PZU conducts a number of activities to support recycling of computer equipment. By forming responsible attitudes among employees in caring for entrusted assets, some of the decommissioned equipment use can be reused in other areas, resold or donated to public benefit institutions. In 2023, this accounted for an average of 25% of the decommissioned equipment. This increases the efficiency of equipment use and minimizes the environmental cost of producing these devices. Decommissioned equipment is withdrawn on the basis of dedicated agreements with companies implementing handling recycling of equipment and its components. In 2024, PZU plans to continue its work in the above area
| 2022 | 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantity (units) | % share | Quantity (units) | % share | |
| Disposal | 12,480 | 43.4% | 4,677 | 27.2% |
| Sale | 15,249 | 53.1% | 10,426 | 60.8% |
| Donation | 1,009 | 3.5% | 2,057 | 12.0% |
| Total decommissioning | 28,738 | 100.0% | 17,160 | 100.0% |
| Information on the volume of decommissioned computers – the number of all computers recalled in the period from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022 accounts for 3.113 units, including: | Information on the volume of decommissioned computers – the number of all computers recalled in the period from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 accounts for 4.358 units, including: | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disposal | 2,872 units | average age 7.5 years | 3,257 units | average age 6.7 years |
| Donation | 138 units. | average age 6.5 years | 309 units | average age 6.3 years |
| Resale | 103 units | average age 5 years | 792 units | average age 6 years |
| 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Share of donated computers – indicator reporting the percentage of computers donated | 4.4% | 7.1% |
| Share of resold computers – indicator informing about the percentage of computers resold in internal and external processes | 3.3% | 18.2% |
At Alior Bank, all documents, bulky waste, unused computer equipment and other electrowaste are disposed of by companies specialized for this purpose. Waste is collected according to the schedule (non-archival documents) or on order (household appliances, furniture, computer media):
- the paper is ground and used in the paper industry,
- computer media, furniture, and white and brown goods are recycled and prepared for reuse as raw materials or alternative fuel.
In addition, for several years, working but unused computer equipment and cell phones have been periodically donated for resale to employees. This reduces the amount of electro-waste generated by Alior Bank.
In the ongoing operations of the Pekao Group and the Bank, measures are being implemented to significantly reduce paper consumption. Starting in 2021, Bank Pekao has stepped up efforts to reduce paper correspondence. Among the most important elements of these activities are combining correspondence sent to the same address and promoting electronic receipt of information such as bank statements and regulations. As a result, it was possible to reduce the number of clients using traditional mail by 450,000 people, including 160,000 in 2023, and the number of letters sent in 2023 was reduced by 2 million per year. In the case of bulk mail, the y/y decline in paper consumption was 23.1%, and in envelopes by 26.7%. In addition, only paper with certificates such as FSC, EU Ecolabel, PEFC, among others, is used in daily work, including printouts to clients.