GSK Turkey employees collected 400 kilograms of waste

GSK Turkey Employees Collect 400 Kilograms of Waste

GSK Turkey, in collaboration with the Community Volunteers Foundation (TOG), has completed the second phase of the 'GSK with Initiatives' project. As part of the environmental cleanup organized for World Environment Day, 400 kilograms of waste were collected and sent for recycling during the environmental cleanup meetings held in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.

Within the framework of GSK Turkey's environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) policies, the 'GSK with Initiatives' project initiated in collaboration with TOG aims to increase the sustainability awareness of GSK employees and the community. As part of the 'GSK with Initiatives,' practical activities aimed at addressing the low sustainability awareness frequently encountered in Turkey's major cities were conducted in three different cities: Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara. The waste collection activities, initiated by volunteer youth and held with the participation of GSK employees, started on World Environment Day, June 5th, and continued on different dates throughout the month, resulting in a total of 400 kilograms of waste collected. In the events held respectively at Istanbul Kilyos Kısırkaya Beach, Izmir Çınaraltı City Forest, and Ankara Yağlıpınar Pond, groups consisting of 153 community volunteers, GSK employees, and their families conducted forest, coastal, and environmental cleanups and sorted the waste.

In addition to bread, food, and organic waste, the collection of plastic, glass, metal, and paper waste resulted in saving 18 kg of greenhouse gases, 18,500 kWh of energy, and 14 liters of petroleum. Furthermore, the collection of cigarette butts prevented approximately 8000 liters of clean water from being polluted.

Selcen Çökdü, Communication and Patient Relations Leader of GSK Turkey, commented on the matter: "Despite the increasing efforts in the field of sustainability today, we observed that awareness of this issue is not sufficient in metropolitan areas, and as GSK Turkey, we took action on this issue. With our motto 'Healthy planet, healthy people' in mind, we concluded that sustainability awareness can only be gained through practical means. Until we grasp the essence of this word we hear frequently these days, until we continue to pollute our seas and forests, we ignore the future of our only living space. Therefore, this project, realized in collaboration with TOG, our valuable partner in corporate social responsibility projects, is very important to us. I would like to thank the GSK employees, volunteer youth, and everyone who supported the realization of this project."

Expressing her satisfaction with the successful completion of the second phase of the 'GSK with Initiatives' project, Ayşe Kırımlı, General Manager of TOG, said: "For 20 years, we have been referring to projects where volunteer youth from different cities of Turkey come together around a common goal as TOG INITIATIVE. We are very happy to have realized the INITIATIVE projects with GSK Turkey this year. I find such collaborations very valuable in creating a cleaner environment and a sustainable world for everyone, and in spreading environmental awareness in society. Our environmental cleanup and waste sorting activities, carried out with GSK employees in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir as part of World Environment Day on June 5th, showed us how even small steps like these can have a positive impact on the environment. On this occasion, I wish for an increase in environmental and sustainability awareness in our society and extend my thanks to the volunteer youth and GSK Turkey employees who contributed to our project."

For more information:

Communication Partner, Lal Saatçıoğlu, 0533 378 77 23 lalsaatcioglu@cpartner.com.tr