ENVIRONMENT

Since 2017, Markas has participated in "M’illumino di meno," an initiative launched by Caterpillar and Rai Radio2 to raise awareness among companies, institutions, and citizens about energy conservation and sustainable lifestyles. Each year, Markas joins the effort by turning off all its illuminated signs at company sites across Italy for one day.

In 2023, to further engage staff on environmental issues, as encouraged by EMAS Regulation, Markas introduced guidelines to help employees adopt sustainable practices in the office.

For Markas, monitoring its energy consumption, whether for electricity or gas, is essential. After inspecting 10 Food contracts in 2022, the company recognized the importance of better understanding energy usage across its sites, cooking centres, and contract locations. Monitoring consumption has been, and continues to be, the key to identifying inefficiencies and issues, allowing for improved energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact of company operations.

In 2023, Markas conducted energy audits on its highest energy-consuming buildings, laying the groundwork for future corrective actions. These audits, along with the implementation of consumption monitoring systems and the focus on cost impacts, have raised awareness about efficient energy management, leading to the development of an initial internal energy management system.

In 2024, Markas plans to further develop this management system with the aim of certifying it according to ISO 50001 standards. This certification will enable Markas to apply the same principles and processes to its contracts sites, particularly those with high energy demands, in order to prioritize interventions in a structured and measurable way.

Markas Austria measures the concentration of harmful substances in the air to protect both the environment and the health of workers from potential long-term exposure. In particular, Markas has focused on monitoring pollutant concentrations.

In partnership with the General Accident Insurance Institution (AUVA), Markas Austria successfully launched the MAK measurement project in 2022. As part of this project, concentration tests were conducted in Austria, within a laboratory setting. Following the results, a surface disinfectant containing formaldehyde was replaced with a more eco-friendly agent. MAK measurements conducted in April 2023 confirmed that this new product poses no health risks during use.

Overall, Markas Italy achieved a 54% reduction in water usage in 2023. Bolzano headquarters alone saw a 30% improvement in water consumption per capita.

This result was accomplished through the introduction of tools for monitoring humidity levels, continuous soil monitoring in green areas, and weekly water analysis to track daily water consumption. Additionally, close collaboration with gardeners allowed for weekly irrigation schedules adjustments based on plant needs. These efforts have significantly contributed to water savings.

In 2021, Markas Italy achieved the EU Ecolabel Certification for indoor cleaning services. Building on this significant milestone, Markas developed a dedicated eco-friendly cleaning service: Markas Eco Clean.

Markas Eco Clean is distinguished by its high-quality standards and a strong focus on minimizing environmental impact. Specifically, the service is characterized by the use of EU Ecolabel-certified cleaning products (such as detergents and cleaning agents), accessories, and disposable materials, high-efficiency washing machines, a commitment to training and raising staff awareness on environmental issues, low-emission vehicles and bicycles for staff transportation, and effective waste management practices.

Since 2022, Markas Austria has also been EU Ecolabel certified for its Markas Eco Clean service.

Markas Austria has launched the "Upcycling" project to reduce the use of plastic bags on cleaning carts. Used cloths and wipes are no longer collected in single-use bags but in reusable bags produced by GW St. Pölten, one of Austria's largest social enterprises, which has been operating in St. Pölten for over 40 years and employs around 580 people, over 70% of whom have disabilities. The project has initiated as a pilot project in 2023, with plans to expand the use of reusable bags to all cleaning carts by 2024.

This shift will save 65,520 plastic bags per year at the University Hospital of St. Pölten alone, corresponding to an annual reduction of 3,144 kg of single-use plastic bags. Through this innovative implementation, the Austrian branch can be more competitive in tenders by demonstrating a proven commitment to environmental awareness. Additionally, partnering with local suppliers not only helps reduce the carbon footprint but also supports the regional economy.

In 2023, Markas Austria embarked on several initiatives aimed at fostering more responsible and mindful waste management. The company has worked towards streamlining its processes by implementing a structured system that allows for more precise tracking of various waste types through the use of advanced weighing systems. In 2024, the accuracy of residual waste measurement will be further enhanced.

Additionally, operational procedures for waste management will be updated in 2024 with the introduction of larger, clearly labelled bins for different types of waste. Alongside these measures, the company will continue raising staff awareness on proper waste sorting and will launch a dedicated project for recycling Nespresso coffee capsules.

Another significant step involves the digitalization of billing processes to reduce paper consumption. Furthermore, the "Life Cycle of Machines" project focuses on centralizing equipment management to optimize usage and reduce waste generation.