Ecology is becoming an increasingly important topic for companies. At Yettel, green is simply the way they do business
Here Yettel’s Milica Begenišić explains to us how a leading mobile operator has taken on the role of driving positive change in society and why its personnel are constantly considering what else they can improve, how they can reduce waste and ghg emissions, and how the initiatives launched by the company can involve its employees and almost three million users.
For Yettel, the numbers speak volumes. You are the first 100% green network in Serbia, having recycled over 690,000 devices, 409 tons of plastic and 195 tons of paper, and with clean energy powering 31 of your shops. What other green initiatives are you implementing?
— That’s right, environmental protection is a significant topic for us. We strive to base every business decision we make on sustainable principles.
We are constantly thinking about what else we can improve, how to reduce waste and gas emissions, and how we can involve employees and our almost three million users. Our recycling programme is growing by the year and we are closing in on the goal of recycling a million devices by year’s end 2025. In addition to offering users the option to recycle waste, we also give them the option to help us reduce our paper use.
Our recycling programme is growing by the year and we are closing in on the goal of recycling a million devices by year’s end 2025
We are the first telecommunications company in Serbia to enable the paperless signing of contracts and other documentation. We also offer our users the option of using an e-bill. Around 74% of our individual users have chosen this option, which has enabled us to save, in theory, around 8,000 trees. Our goal is to have a million e-bill users by 2025.
Large companies have the power to drive positive change, and – as a leading mobile operator – you have taken that role seriously. Do you believe in the saying ‘If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse’?
— Yes, we do believe in that and try to follow it in every aspect of our business. As you said, companies have the power to drive change; however, with power comes the responsibility to contribute to the communities in which we operate.
Apart from the initiatives we launch, we also cooperate with partners who share our values. That’s why we supported the third Science Picnic, organised by the Science Festival. The picnic will be held on 17th and 18th May in the Arboretum of the Faculty of Forestry. Its aim is to better familiarise children and young people with environmental topics in a simple and receptive way and to provide guidelines for nature conservation. We believe that education is the best way to achieve this goal. Environmental protection is an imperative for companies, individuals and society. We must invest our knowledge and goodwill to save the planet for future generations.