Building ties...For the Environment

Telecommunications is a more environmentally friendly industry than many. Even so, we are constanly seeking to manage the impact of our operations on the environment.
Having committed ourselves to implementing a comprehensive environmental policy, we are developing a series of initiatives and actions, in line with international rules and practices, that aim at limiting the environmental impact of our operations.

We recycle, it's our commitment

Our Paper Recycling is "life-giving"
We place particular emphasis on paper recycling. Our effort is directed towards making it our daily practice.
Every year we recycle our used paper. In 2008, we recycled  274,577 kg. Part of the recycling revenues is allocated to the OTE Employee Vacation Club, for the employee programmes.
Moreover, every month for the past six years, we give a significant amount of paper we have used, to the non-governmental organisation, "KLIMAKA", an association specialized in mental health and abolition of social exclusion, with respect to sensitive social groups. KLIMAKA reuses some of this paper and recycles the rest. Revenues coming from recycling go towards covering members' needs. In 2008, the OTE Electronic Processing Centre forwarded 83,345 kilos of paper to this NGO.

…Towards the exclusive use of electronic communication means
The increase of daily-filing electronic management,  via scanners and electronic routing of internal communications (‘PAPIROS’ information system) which started in 2007, resulted in paper consumption decrease by approximately 356,000 pages. Within 2009, the implementation of the ‘PAPIROS’ system is expected to expand, leading to further reduction of paper consumption.

Battery & Electronic Equipment Recycling
In 2008, we continued our battery recycling programme at the OTEShops, gathering 10,000 kg, which were taken by AFIS for recycling.
In 2008, we placed special bins in OTEshops and gathered 318 kg in small electronic equipment appliances. OTE encourages consumers to participate in this recycling programme through printed and electronic ads.

We protect Natural Resources

Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
We reduce transportation through:
• The development of infrastructures and the expansion of broadband internet, which will guarantee new, faster ways of communication, employment and exchange of information with indirect positive effects on the protection of the environment, arising from the reduction of transportation needs. The provision of services that are implemented through video-conference, internet services, and VLANs, contributes essentially towards that direction.
• The operation of a corporate and business customer Service Call Centre (‘13818 OTEbusiness Customer Service’), aiming at fault correction via telephone directions, not repair crew visits. Within 2008, the ‘13818 ΟΤΕbusiness Customer Service’ line received 18,895 calls, of which only 6,375 required the dispatch of a repair crew, thus achieving a reduction of greenhouse gases by 105 t CO2 eq.
• The provision of transportation, since 1999, to over 1000 employees, to and from their workplace, in company coaches. This resulted in fuel saving and subsequent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere by 1,814 t CO2 eq.

We support the work of Environmental Organizations

OTE undertakes actions and supports initiatives and NGO work, in the direction of protecting the environment.
In 2008 we sponsored:
• the environmental organisation ‘KALLISTO,’ which plans and implements programmes on the protection of the natural environment and co-existence of man with wild-life
• the Hellenic Society for the Protection of the Environment and Cultural Heritage
• the Philodassiki Enosi Athinon, its object being the  reforestation of fallow land, the encouragement of forest-lovers and the protection of the natural environment. 
• the 8th Symposium on Environmental Awareness, ‘Roes Zois, the Nile Delta and Africa,’ organised by the NGO ‘Religion, Science & the Environment - Cycle of Patmos,’ and is under the auspices of the Ecumenical Patriarch
• the 9th International Conference on the Protection & Restoration of the Environment
• the International Mediterranean Conference on the Environment
• the three-day event dedicated to Recycling & the Environment titled ‘My Civilisation… My Garbage’ that was organised by the Cultural Centre of the Municipality of Pallini.

Cooperation with the International Organization, "BIOPOLITICS"
We provide free telecom equipment and support to the international, non-governmental organization, "Biopolitics", which aims at promoting international collaborations and education, for the purpose of protecting the environment.

Respecting local architecture
The OTE buildings follow local trends and architectural features, which apply in each specific area of Greece where they are situated.

For more information, please refer to the Annual Corporate Responsibility Report here.