Environmental Responsibility

We develop and implement business processes with which we protect the environment and preserve natural resources wherever we are, as well as actively minimizing the impact of our operations. We systematically monitor the consumption of resources and energy. By setting and reaching environmentally friendly goals, balanced by the specific needs of the Group's operation and development, we are focused on continually improving efficiency and increasing environmental protection. We adapt our services and products to the global trends in environmental development. We have undertaken to follow and meet all Slovenian and European legislation requirements in that field. We additionally follow and meet other normative and ethical requirements related to environmental aspects of telecommunication services and operation. We also take part in professional initiatives, which ensure objective communication of scientific viewpoints concerning the environmental impact of our activities. We also offer options for environmentally responsible users.

Environmental Management Systems

ISO 14001 environmental certificate

In March 2008, a ceremony took place where Telekom Slovenije symbolically received the ISO 14001 environmental certificate. That act marked the completion of the project to introduce a system regulation in the field of responsible environmental management. The system that was introduced is based on the international ISO 14001 standard. The decision to begin the process for obtaining the certificate was taken by the company management in 2006, and in 2009 a company-appointed project team completed the key tasks of the project. The certificate proves that we are aiming for important business and environmental achievements.

The ETNO Document

We have undertaken environmental protection by signing the European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association (ETNO) document. ETNO has a Section for Sustainable and Environmental Development, through which it delivers guidelines for environmental development and improvement. Our implementation of environmental activities and planning of new projects are carried out in accordance with the key processes which improve the quality of life and natural environment, and especially in relation to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption.

The EMS Forum

Telekom Slovenia Group makes an effort to objectively inform the public on the course and findings of scientific research on electromagnetic radiation in the environment. We encourage collaboration between everyone who is involved in the process of mobile telephony base station construction or operation as well as those who express interest. We are an active member of the EMS Forum, which provides education, connecting and objective information also on a national level. Within the framework of the EMS Forum, we have subscribed to and implement the code of good practice. By subscribing to the code, companies undertake to increase their contribution to reducing their introduction or sources of electromagnetic radiation into the environment.

Environment Protection Projects

Setting up a comprehensive system of waste separation.

As early as in 2005 we undertook a more responsible waste disposal. The purpose of the system is as follows:

• Waste separation on the spot. Separation of all the waste that can be recycled or reused.
• Handing over waste packaging, electrical and electronic equipment to suppliers.
• Through all this activities also continuous reduction of municipal waste.

For that purpose, we created a waste management plan and prepared instructions for separate waste collection at designated collection points called "eco points".

Establishment of Target Monitoring of Electricity, Materials and Fuel Consumption

In order to achieve continuous improvement, we set up indicators that will help us achieve rational use of materials and energy. The environmental indicators we set up are electricity and fuel consumption per income unit. We are also implementing a comparison of indicators published by ETNO. Based on the indicator results and comparison, we will determine our environmental goals for the coming years.

Electromagnetic Fields

We have undertaken to introduce our infrastructure into the environment responsibly. We are reducing the strength of our base stations and hosting a network, which is our contribution to a considerably lower radiation impact on the environment as well as mobile telephone users. The base stations are an infrastructure which ensures a quality signal for mobile telecommunication services when it is carefully planned and introduced into the environment responsibly. Base stations receive and transmit electromagnetic waves between 400 and 2200 MHz through their antennae, so their operation has a certain environmental impact.

The Environmental Portal

We have launched Okoljski portal (Environmental Portal) on our intranet, so that the data on environmental management becomes available to all our employees. The portal houses documents related to environmental management and enables fast information flow while not imposing on the employees with paper and numerous electronic messages. The main design, content and form have been approved by the competent services.

Including Employees in the Implementation of Environmental Activities

We are aware that a newly-established environmental management system becomes successful only when all the employees are included in it. Their motivation and the successful communication between different levels will transform the system into a tool for seeking constant improvement. In the process of including our employees, all channels of internal communication are used. Employee training and all the main activities are laid down in the company’s environmental policy and internal measures of general application.

Let’s Clean Up Slovenia!

The entire country of Slovenia went down in history on 17 April 2010 with the Let’s Clean Up Slovenia in a Day! (http://www.ocistimo.si/) environmental action. The entire country came together with a common goal and to everyone’s benefit – to clean illegal waste depots. Many illegal waste depots were cleaned. Individuals and Telekom Slovenije teams took active part in the project.

Calculating the CO2 Footprint

The “Calculate your CO2 Footprint” campaign is part of the “You are energy. Be efficient!” campaign. Anyone can go to www.energijasi.com or www.hse-energija.si to calculate their own carbon footprint. Carbon dioxide (CO2) represents the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions, which are the main environmental change culprits. The majority of CO2 in households is created as a result of the use of electricity, heating and transport. Telekom Slovenije is an associated partner to the project.

Collecting Old Phones, Mobile Phones, Batteries and Chargers

We collect old telephones, mobile phones, batteries and chargers at all our sales centers.

Supporting the Eco Quiz Competition

We must first learn about our environment in order to know how to act responsibly toward it. Eco Quiz, a competition in eco-knowledge for elementary school pupils, which Telekom Slovenije joined in the 2008/09 school year as a partner, provides just that. Eco Quiz is organized within the Eco-School as a Way of Life program, which is the European association’s way of ensuring environmental education.

By taking part in the Eco Quiz, Telekom Slovenije continues its environmental protection efforts and spreads them among children, who hold our future in their hands. At Telekom Slovenije's initiative, Eco Quiz became even more environmentally friendly in the school year 2008/09. That was the first time that the entire quiz took place on the internet. Competitors could visit eko.telekom.si to access study material, teams could apply there and that is also where the school competitions took place.

Learning about the environment through interactive telecommunications technology is very popular among students and their mentors, as each year we exceed our initial goals.