We are not indifferent to global challenges related to the natural environment and protection of its resources.
This is why we undertake numerous environmental initiatives to raise environmental awareness among our employees and minimise our operations’ adverse environmental impact. Collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment is a case in point.
Each year used electromagnetic equipment is collected at Plus outlets and transferred to a specialised waste recovery firm. During such campaigns, even a few thousand items of various equipment are collected. In 2013, together with Regenersis Sp. z o.o., Polkomtel launched a phone repurchase programme for anyone wishing to dispose of a phone that they no longer need. A used phone may be sold in exchange for a new phone voucher, Plus services or money paid by bank transfer. A used phone does not need to have any packaging, battery charger or additional accessories, but it must be in working order and must have a battery.
Since 2013, when Cyfrowy Polsat joined the ‘Follow the Advice: Waste Collection Pays Twice’ national campaign, used electronic equipment has been collected at the Company. Collected equipment is transferred to an organisation specialising in recycling electrical and electronic equipment. In total, nearly two tonnes of equipment have been collected. In exchange for the equipment, BIOSYSTEM S.A., partner of the campaign, donated study aids to children under the charge of the ‘Children of Targówek’ association and plants for the ‘Bird Garden’.
To demonstrate our concern for natural resources, we also support the ‘green office’ philosophy. We collect waste paper and pre-select waste, for instance used toner cartridges. We believe that it is possible to be environmentally friendly in our everyday work by following good routines such as two-sided printing and copying, switching off the lights on leaving a room, using computers‘ standby mode, unplugging chargers and similar devices, rational use of water and prudent use of air conditioning. Cyfrowy Polsat employees have themselves developed ten rules of environmental conduct they want to follow in their daily work.
Environmentally-friendly solutions have also been implemented in our continuously developed IT systems. Virtualisation has enabled switching off every year 100 servers at the Plus network data centres, translating into annual electricity consumption savings in the order of 285 MW. Reduced electricity consumption leads to lower CO2 emissions and brings considerable money savings. The Plus network stores and the Plus Partners’ outlets have for years been using LED light sources in their logo signs, and energy-saving bulbs and automatic light switches are the norm. Recently, low CO2 emission cars have joined the car fleet.
To contribute to lower CO2 emissions, we seek to ensure optimum loading of delivery vehicles carrying set-top-boxes manufactured by Cyfrowy Polsat. The equipment offered by the two companies (set-top boxes, phones, modems) is packed into environmentally-friendly boxes.
A network friendly to customers and the environment
Network upgrade and expansion work performed for Polkomtel by, among others, NSN (Nokia Solutions and Networks) and Ericsson is beneficial not only to Plus and Cyfrowy Polsat customers, but also to the environment. Application of state-of-the-art technological solutions and implementation of modern radio modules and cooling systems has not only improved the use and operation of the network, but has also helped reduce electricity consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.