We are dedicated to reducing waste, containing emissions, improving packaging and managing energy more efficiently. Our goal is to minimise our footprint, creating more space for a sustainable future.
SDGs we champion:
How we contribute to sustainable development
Resource management
Waste management
Fight against climate change
Biodiversity and protection of ecosystems
How we are striving for better
Resource management
Energy Manager
For more effective and efficient management of electrical energy, the Energy Manager will organise and structure a new Energy Management office to monitor our energy use
Waste management
Fight against climate change
ISO 50001 certification
We are certifying our energy management system to enhance efficiency
Sustainable mobility: a home-to-work commute plan
To reduce the environmental impact of employee commuting, our Mobility Management system will develop a plan to manage home-work commutes more efficiently and sustainably
Biodiversity and protection of ecosystems
In 2005, we obtained the ISO 14001 certification for the first time, marking the beginning of our commitment to the environment, which has since become a cornerstone of our company culture.
Thanks to the expertise gained over the years, we combine high levels of service and environmental hygiene with concrete actions aimed at minimising the environmental impact produced by our activities.
The environmental aspects that are significant for us
Energy consumption
Our focus on ecological transition is paramount. We consistently track our energy consumption to contain costs and reduce our environmental impact.
Energy mix in 2023
Emissions
Our main emissions stem from the use of methane for heating our offices and the use of our company fleet vehicles for business travel. Additionally, we monitor emissions from F-Gas equipment, such as cold rooms and blast chillers, used at our customer sites under contract for food services.
Direct and indirect CO2 emissions generated in the 2021-2023 three-year period (ton Co2eq)
Water resources
Our approach to managing the impact of water usage is defined through on site control units in alignment with our Environmental Management System, certified to ISO 14001 and EMAS.
Water withdrawals in the 2021-2023 three-year period (ML)
Packaging evolution and plastic reduction
Sustainability is not optional; it’s vital. This commitment drives our material and product choices for all Markas contracts, particularly in reducing plastic.
Eco-friendly products used in the Clean division
Reducing plastic
Consumers are becoming more informed about the circular economy. The three Rs—reduce, reuse and recycle—are pivotal to this concept.
We strive to select suppliers and products that prioritise strategies and policies aimed at reducing plastic use, especially virgin plastics.
Waste management
Our approach to waste respects both the environment and society, adhering to the standards set by our ISO 14001- and EMAS-certified Environmental Management System.
The waste we produce and the disposal system
Our waste production
Projects
From words to actions
Well certification
As proof of its attention to the environment, Markas inaugurated its new corporate headquarters in Bolzano in 2019. A "CasaClima A" building and the first in Italy certified as a Well Gold Building – the international standard that promotes the health and psychophysical well-being of people in buildings.
Well certification is based on an integrated approach to sustainability and involves a joint commitment on eight fronts:
- Air – improving indoor quality, ensuring correct air exchanges through the systematic opening of windows or, in Markas’ case, the use of particulate filters;
- Water – easy access for all users to clean water sources free of polluting materials;
- Nutrition – with the aim of promoting healthy eating, preferring the consumption of raw materials in corporate, school and hospital canteens, in order to encourage promoting balanced meals’;
- Lighting – maximising natural light, limiting artificial light;
- Movement – the positioning of work environments close to areas that allow movement, to reduce a sedentary lifestyle;
- Comfort – guaranteed by cleanliness, noise reduction, maintenance of optimal temperature, good quality of finishes;
- Psychophysical well-being – concerns the physical and mental health of human beings, who experience work environments in a healthy and balanced manner in order to work and feel their best within them;
- Innovation – encouraging innovation, with the presentation of new ideas for new concept-based features.
"M’illumino di meno"
Since 2017, Markas has taken part in “M’illumino di meno”, an initiative launched by Caterpillar and Rai Radio2 with the aim of turning off the lights and raising awareness among companies, institutions and citizens on energy saving and sustainable lifestyles.
Every year, Markas participates by switching off the company’s illuminated signs at its premises for one day. In addition, activities are proposed to directly involve staff in environmental issues, also in accordance with the requirements of the EMAS Regulation. For example, in 2022 employees were invited to share, by means of a photo, the green corner of their home or their bike ride to work. For the first 50 photos shared, the company planted a tree in Val di Fiemme, contributing to the restoration of the forest following the tragic event of the Vaia storm that took place in October 2018.
Markas’ employees had the opportunity to plant with their own hands the tree received as a gift from Markas, participating in the reforestation day held in June 2022 in Passo Lavazè (TN).
Monitoring energy consumption
In 2022, an energy analysis was conducted covering a sample of 10 Food contracts. Specifically, the activity consisted in monitoring all the dynamics related to the management of equipment by contracted staff including, for example, the switching on and off of machines, the relative methods of use, etc. The activity therefore made it possible to identify critical aspects and improvement actions to save energy.
The main critical issue identified was the ventilation systems (Air Handling Units), which were not regulated. In this sense, efforts have been made to find solutions to reduce operating times. During 2021, a second project was launched, the implementation of the ETP platform, also focused on monitoring energy consumption, in two steps. All direct electricity and gas supplies from the Food division and Markas permanent offices are monitored against a database of billing data from Alperia, the supplier. The data is clustered for different types of activities (premises, medium and long-stay catering, corporate canteens, etc.) and benchmarks are created (per meal). This makes it possible to compare consumption per meal and identify any waste.
In addition to this analysis, through the same platform, continuous monitoring systems with remote data reading have been implemented on the billing history for three food facilities that were already technologically ready to support remote monitoring (Verona Borgo Roma, Gardone Valtrompia and Cervasca cooking centres).
Environmental impacts (EU Ecolabel certification)
In 2021, Markas obtained the EU Ecolabel Certification for indoor cleaning services. From this important milestone, Markas worked on the creation of a specific ecological cleaning service: Markas Eco Clean.
The Markas Eco Clean service is characterised by high quality standards and special attention to environmental impacts. In particular, the service is characterised by the use of chemicals (detergents and cleaners), as well as EU Ecolabel certified cleaning accessories and consumable materials, energy-efficient washing machines, attention to training and awareness of staff towards environmental aspects, use of low-emission vehicles and bicycles for staff movements, and correct waste management.
As recognition for its commitment, Markas won the 2022 EU Ecolabel Award, the prestigious award given out by Ispra to companies that have distinguished themselves in promoting the principles and values of the European Ecolabel.