Hürriyet Initiatives on Environmental Protection and Environmental Sustainability
Sustainability can be defined as the capability of ongoing habitual behaviors. According to the definition declared by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987, “it is the capability to meet people’s daily needs, to attain sustainable development without jeopardizing the capacity to meet the next generations’ requirements.”
>Environmental sustainability ; > is defined as the process of ensuring that relations with the environment are based protecting the environment as much as possible.
We at the Hürriyet Group have adopted environmental protection as one of our main tasks, based on providing respect to humanity and ensuring a healthy future for humanity and natural life.
We conduct our operations in line with the protection of the environment and proper use of natural resources, in accordance with the sustainability policies and observing all laws and regulations on environmental protection.
We acknowledge that high quality products can be produced in a safe and clean environment. Based on this principle, we adhere to a corporate policy where less consumables and less energy are consumed, where environmentally friendly production equipment and techniques are adopted and applied according to current circumstances in every production phase, from project and equipment selection to environmentally aware staff and daily production, to attain a healthy environment and to hand it down to next generations.
To this end, the Company established an Environmental Control Unit on January 31, 2011 and initiated analytical studies to mitigate the effects of our production and operation on the environment and to improve the level of environmental awareness among employees.
– In 2011, all our printing houses and some offices were inspected in accordance with the Environmental Control Regulations and the Environmental Law; subsequently, inspection reports were presented to senior management. The inspections and reviews will continue in 2012 and accordingly reports again will be presented to top management
– As a result of the inspections, improvements are made in accordance with the Environmental Laws.
– Environmental training programs are conducted for all employees to enhance environmental awareness.
– Our operations are inspected on an ongoing basis through internal controls to ensure the sustainability of our environmental awareness.
– The Company’s top management reviews and evaluates our operations according to inspection reports and necessary sanctions are imposed to allow necessary improvements to be made.
– In 2011, Hürriyet Group published and distributed two “Environmental Paper” issues, a first in Turkey, to highlight environmental issues and to bring all the companies of the sector to a common ground.
Our operations to achieve environmental sustainability are presented below.
1. Energy Management
Various procedures, in particular the use of efficient equipment, are applied at all facilities to reduce consumption of energy resources such as electricity and natural gas.
Additionally, studies are conducted to reduce CO2 emission into the atmosphere, in other words, to minimize our carbon footprint.
– Electricity/natural gas consumption amounts are checked and reported.
– A heating system with a capacity less than 2 MV is used at all facilities and the CO2 emission is at a minimum level.
– No technologies causing emissions into the atmosphere are used in any production stage.
– The awareness of employees on this issue is steadily raised.Energy-saving equipment is used at facilities.
– Heating of production sites and offices is kept at optimum levels.
– Energy-efficient bulbs are used.
– The duration for night lighting has been shortened.
– Sub-meters have been installed on certain lines to observe and report energy consumption.
– Employees are advised to shut down and not to leave on standby the unused electrical appliances at the end of working hours.
– The wall and roof insulation of all facilities is regularly inspected.
2. Environmental Permits and Licenses
Hürriyet Gazetecilik ve Matbaacılık A.Ş. Antalya Printing Center (“DPC Antalya”)
Classified under EK2 receiving environment discharge under the “Regulation on Permits and Licenses Required by the Environmental Law,” DPC Antalya has satisfied all requirements in accordance with the “Regulation on Environmental Control”; on July 6, 2011, the facility received the “Environmental Permit”, valid for five years, from the Provincial Directorate of Environment and Urbanization. This is the first environmental permit granted to a printing house in the media sector in Turkey. As a result, DPC Antalya is subject to monthly inspection by the Environmental Controller, employed by the Company, in accordance with the Regulation on Environmental Control; in addition, reports are issued regularly.
Hürriyet Gazetecilik ve Matbaacılık A.Ş. Trabzon Printing Center (“DPC Trabzon”)
Classified under EK2 receiving environment discharge under the “Regulation on Permits and Licenses Required by the Environmental Law,” DPC Trabzon initiated the procedures for an Environmental Permit and License in accordance with the “Regulation on Environmental Control.” To this end, the biological treatment plant was refurbished, reference values for waste water were attained according to the criteria on SKKY Table 19 and the waste water treatment plant project was approved by the Provincial Directorate of Environment and Urbanization. The GFB procedures have been initiated and the facility is in a position to obtain the Environmental Permit as the second Hürriyet printing house after DPC Antalya to do so.
Hürriyet Gazetecilik ve Matbaacılık A.Ş. Istanbul Printing Center (“DPC Istanbul”)
p>In 2011, the Istanbul Water and Sewage Administration (İSKİ) initiated actions for the renewal of its DKKR license as required by the quality control regulation. Due to the importance placed by Hürriyet Group on environmental protection and according to its policy on environmental sustainability, the existing biological treatment plant at the Istanbul facility was refurbished; the treatment plant was separated from the domestic water treatment system; and a chemical treatment plant and a biological treatment plant were built at the construction cost of €55,000 and put into operation at end-2011. The facility’s waste water was successfully treated according to the criteria on SKKY Table 25 and a level of sustainability was attained. The facility is close to obtaining a DKKR license from İSKİ. The DKKR license is granted for an indefinite period of time.
3. Water Use Management
As part of our environmental sustainability and water efficiency activities, we consume water through instructions, use warning labels and maintain daily water consumption reports for facilities and offices. In addition, we:
– Install spray taps;
-Use well water where economically feasible;
– Monitor for leakages and provide repair & maintenance work promptly;
– Use treated waste water for irrigating facility grounds;
– Use bucket water for domestic purposes;
– Use a minimum level of water for production and report water usage.
4. Preventing Environmental Pollution
Efforts to reduce operational wastes at the source are consistently examined and remedial measures are taken as necessary. As a result, analytical studies on effective production planning, minimum inventory and improvement of operation modes are conducted.
In accordance with the Regulation on Packing Wastes, in 2011 a directive on packaging materials imposed on the market between 2005 and 2010 established an online system under the authority of the respective Provincial Directorate. TUKÇEV, a licensed company, was authorized to collect packaging materials put on the market in line with the set quota. Hürriyet Group also collects packaging materials through:
– Paper recycling boxes on office floors;
– Paper, glass, plastic, composite and waste batteries collection units at offices and production
– Contaminated material depositories;
– HP toner and cartridges collection containers.
5. Waste Management and Disposal and Recycling
Operational wastes are detailed in our three-year management plans that are approved by the governor’s office in respective provinces. The Company has established temporary hazardous waste storage rooms in facilities in our operating regions, as approved by the governors. The aim is to store the wastes, to reduce transportation costs and to reduce CO2 emission into the atmosphere, therefore minimizing our carbon footprint.
Wastes collected at temporary storage rooms are delivered to disposal or recycling companies, licensed by the Ministry of the Environment and Urbanization, for treatment; detailed records are kept on all wastes delivered.
Environmental Health and Protection at the Printing Facilities
Paper Consumption
Recycled paper accounts for 28% of the paper consumed at the Hürriyet facilities. Approximately 52 thousand tons of recycled paper was used in newspaper printing in 2011.
Biological Treatment
Production at the Hürriyet facilities creates industrial waste water which is sent to special wastewater collection channels. After physical treatment (coarse grids, oil filters, sand catchers), the industrial waste water is gradually mixed with household waste water produced at the same facilities; later it is treated biologically.
After biological treatment, the treated water is (after being disinfected with chlorine) discharged into appropriate environments from discharge points approved by official agencies.
The treatment facilities are managed by the Company; further, the appropriate official agencies regularly take water samples and make the necessary controls on the treatment procedure.
The waste generated at the treatment facilities is kept in dangerous waste depositories constructed in accordance with the standards set by the Ministry of Environment. It is later sent to licensed firms for disposal.
Chemical Treatment
Pursuant to İSKİ’s request, an integrated chemical and biological treatment plant has been established at DPC Istanbul. Domestic waste water is discharged as untreated into the İSKİ channel, while industrial mixed waste water is treated in this integrated system to discharge criteria and is then transferred to the İSKİ sewage system.
Waste Paper
Waste paper generated during production is stacked at collection points and disposed of as scrap for recycling. In 2011, Ministry of Environment imposed the requirement to obtain licenses for the scrap treating companies.
Batteries and Storage Batteries
Used batteries are collected in PE collection containers provided by TAPS Company and delivered there for disposal. Used storage batteries are stacked on leak proof concrete ground and delivered to licensed companies for recycling.
Bathing Water
Fixing solutions that are collected in conventional bathing equipment, still used in certain facilities, are stored at source in a closed system. Such water is delivered to licensed companies for silver recovery.
Waste Aluminum Plates
Aluminum plates used in printing are cleaned during the production process and then stacked at collection points and delivered to recycling/separation companies, licensed by the Ministry of Environment, for recycling.
Waste Chemicals
The reservoir water and solvents used in printing are not sent to treatment facilities, but rather are placed in plastic drums and kept in dangerous waste depositories constructed in accordance with Ministry of Environment regulations. These chemicals are later sent to licensed firms for disposal.
Treatment Sludge
Treatment sludge from the Company’s biological treatment plants is classified as hazardous treatment sludge although it is subject to domestic waste treatment; the sludge is delivered to licensed companies for disposal.
Waste Plastic Drums and Metal Barrels
Drums and barrels of chemicals used in production, such as reservoir water, solvents and oils (contaminated wastes) are stored at waste collection points and later sent to licensed firms for recycling purposes.
Used Mineral Oil
Mineral oils to be replaced are not discharged into the sewage system but are sent for analysis at laboratories licensed by the Ministry of Environment and are given or sold to licensed firms, according to the reported results.
Used Electronic Equipment
Used PCs and monitors, integrated units, semiconductors, telephones, fax machines, copier machines, DVDs, VRCs, printed circuit sensors, cables, medical devices, printer cartridges, and the like are given or sold to recycling firms licensed by the Ministry of Environment.
Used Fluorescent and Mercury Vapor Bulbs
Used fluorescent and mercury vapor bulbs are kept in dangerous waste depositories constructed in accordance with guidelines established by the Ministry of Environment. Later, the bulbs are sent to licensed recycling firms for disposal.
Printer Cartridges and Toners
Cartridges and toners are included in the HP worldwide recycling system. The Company uses HP cartridges and toners throughout the organization and the used products are returned to HP Company for recycling. The Company endeavors to reduce the use of other brand cartridges and toners; these non-HP used cartridges and toners are delivered to licensed recycling companies.
Gas Emissions
The Company’s newspaper printing machines run on electricity; there are no gas emissions into the atmosphere during production. A heating system with a capacity less than 2 MV is used at all facilities and office areas; as a result, the systems are exempt from emission permit under SKHKKY and CO2 emission is minimal.
Environmental Cleanup
The cleanup of the environment surrounding the facilities is regularly undertaken by cleaning firms every day. Further, the Company’s Environmental Control Unit carries out preventive activities and issues warnings on the soil pollution pursuant to the Soil Pollution Control Regulations in the facilities.
Maintenance of Green Space and Plantation of Trees
The maintenance of the area reserved as green space in all facilities is regularly undertaken by specialist firms in a regular manner.
Environmental Health and Protection of the Environment in Administrative Buildings
The industrial waste water generated at the Company headquarters is regularly sent to a waste water treatment firm. Additionally, at the administrative buildings, generator waste oils are collected, analyzed and later sent to licensed recycling firms for disposal.
The cooling facilities at the Company headquarters were renovated four years ago and supplied with a new generation environment-friendly cooling gas, R 134. Special attention is paid to ensure that all newly purchased cooling devices utilize environment-friendly cooling gases. Importation and utilization of cooling gases and making them available for the final user are carried out in accordance with Ministry of Environment regulations. Maintenance of the cooling groups in the Hürriyet facilities are carried out periodically by the authorized technical services based on contracts. The Halon fire extinguishers on the premises’ firefighting system were removed and replaced by a system using the FM 200 gas that is more environment-friendly and complies with EU standards. Leak tests of the fire extinguishers within the Company’s buildings are carried out every six months by the authorized technical services based on contracts.
Ali Efe Dalkılıç, who holds an Environmental Technician Certificate, was employed as Environmental Controller within Hürriyet as of January 31, 2011. His task is to evaluate whether the Company’s activities that caused or may cause environmental pollution from the time the facilities begin until they cease operations and are subject to inspection based on the regulations as per the Environmental Law meet those regulations. Further, he is to ensure that such precautions taken for the purposes of environmental protection are effectively implemented.
No law suits have been filed against the Company due to environmental damage claims.