Respect for Environment in Production
Ülker Bisküvi follows environmental policy, not only in the context of legal obligations, but with the awareness of a citizen of the world. The activities are based on the strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emission, which is the greatest cause of global warming. With this objective, fuel systems used in the Company’s production facilities are maintained regularly in order to prevent fuel loss and increase efficiency. According to Control of Industrial Facilities Origination Air Pollution Legislation, the smoke gas emission measurements are below the legal limits prescribed by law.
Ülker Bisküvi’s activities for environmental protection are not only limited to greenhouse gasses. In regard to water issues, which gains importance every day, efficient utilization activities are continuously executed. The purification facilities in the Ülker Bisküvi factories each year clean more than 78,360 cubic meters of water and make it reusable.
In addition to the above, used paper, plastic and batteries are collected separately and disposed of appropriately within the Company.
Importance Given to Healthy Nutrition
Ülker Bisküvi takes the nutritional needs, amount of consumed foods and frequency of consumption into account in R&D practices. Consequently, with this information in mind, the Company introduces a selection of products suitable for the needs of the consumers.
Keeping in mind our strategy for the introduction of healthy products, in June 2007 Ülker Bisküvi stopped using trans fats in all of its products. The Company is also differentiating itself by developing healthy products, thanks to the technological infrastructure.
Ülker Bisküvi contributes healthy nutrition with its products, not only to Turkey, but also to consumers around the world.
Support for Yıldız Holding’s Social Responsibility Projects
Since its inception, Yıldız Holding has undertaken social responsibility projects aimed at social development, as well as contributing to the economic development of Turkey. The wide-ranging social activities of the Group range from environmental protection to sports. The Company focuses especially on projects that invite children to get involved with life.
As the flagship of Yıldız Holding, Ülker Bisküvi continues support for social responsibility and sponsorship projects undertaken by the Group.
Yıldız Holding, building close relationships with youth and children, supports professional football and also projects for children, who the Company considers to be the future of Turkish sports. The Grassroots project has been undertaken that aims to get children into the habit of participating in sports. This project is undertaken in cooperation with the Turkish Football Federation. Children between the ages of 6-12 can enroll at the Grassroots centers for free in Istanbul, Adana and Trabzon.
Another activity within the scope of the “Grassroots” project are football villages. This activity was first organized in Van in 2007. It has continued for two terms in four different cities: Sinop, Bolu, Sivas and Isparta. In football villages children are not only taught to play football, but they are also given information on nutrition, personal development, chess and environmental awareness.
The Football and Basketball Festival is where sports is paired with fun for thousands of students from all over Turkey. The Festival is organized each year in a different city and students learn cooperation, fair play and friendship, in addition to sports.
The sports projects have introduced over 20,000 children to sports to date. They have seen new places and enjoyed having a chance to just be children. In the last months of 2008, with sponsorship for the Tournament for the Handicapped, the number of participating children reached 26,000.
Another activity Yıldız Holding is proud of hosting is the movie presentation for children on April 23 at the National Independence and Children’s Day. In 2008, Ülker sponsored the movie “Nim’s Island”. It was shown free in 123 movie theaters in 33 cities. 125,000 children had the opportunity to watch the movie, and for many it was the first time in a movie theater.
Yıldız Holding, while undertaking projects for the physical and mental development of children, also did not neglect their environment and the land where they live. The Company is one of the initial supporters of TEMA’s rural development projects. Yıldız Holding has supported three villages in Edirne and Kırklareli. Under this project, pastures in those villages have been cleared. New fruit saplings have been bought, activities such as viniculture, apiculture and alternative seeds plantation increased the income of the villages.
As children are of the utmost importance, the Holding is continuing investment in education, environment and sports. The Company also supports congresses and conferences which contribute to the development of the industry in which it is active.