Environment and Society

As natural resources dwindle, habitats shrink, and environmental degradation accelerates, Ekol recognizes the vital role companies must play in safeguarding the planet for future generations. Ekol’s top priorities include achieving sustainable growth by developing environmentally friendly business processes and projects. Accordingly, the company supports nongovernmental organizations dedicated to wildlife protection. Ekol pursues environmentally focused business models and raises awareness among its employees, driven by the conviction that companies must do their part to leave a more livable world for future generations.

Ekol implements effective waste management across its facilities through the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and Zero Waste practices. The company has established its system in full alignment with ISO 14001 requirements and ensures compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory obligations. In designing the system, Ekol takes into account the scale of the organization and the scope of its operations to determine resource and documentation needs. The Environmental Management System, developed in accordance with ISO 14001 standards, is regularly monitored, evaluated, and continuously improved. Ekol maintains an active environmental management system.

All hazardous, non-hazardous, and packaging waste generated at Ekol facilities is effectively separated through Zero Waste practices. The resulting waste is managed in line with circular economy principles and industrial symbiosis initiatives. As a core element of its waste management strategy, Zero Waste practices are implemented as a standard management approach across all Ekol facilities. In line with the “Reduce–Reuse–Recycle” principles of the circular economy, all facilities conduct ongoing efforts to minimize waste. All major storage sites have been awarded the “Zero Waste Certificate,” and work continues to enhance and expand these practices. To support continuous improvement, regular on-site inspections are carried out across all locations.

Ekol recognizes that even small, mindful actions can lead to significant savings in electricity consumption. Aiming to turn individual responsibility into collective action, the company provides training to raise awareness and promote energy-conscious behavior among its employees. Additionally, Ekol uses tailored measurement tools across different operations to track electricity consumption and develop data-driven roadmaps for improvement.

Ekol continuously develops energy efficiency projects for logistics operations as well as office and warehouse consumption. All relevant facilities have been certified under the ISO 50001 Energy Management System. As part of its commitment to ongoing improvement, Ekol took a major step toward renewable energy by investing in the largest single-rooftop solar power plant (SPP) in the logistics sector. Installed at Lotus—Europe’s largest green facility by storage capacity—the rooftop SPP has been generating energy since June 2022. Covering an area of approximately 40,000 square meters, the system made Ekol the first company in the sector to install solar panels of this scale on a single roof. A monitoring platform developed as part of the project enables real-time fault detection at module, string, and system levels. The rooftop SPP at Lotus, installed in 2022 and covering 215,000 square meters of enclosed space, now supplies around 70 percent of the facility’s energy needs.

At our Lavanta Facility, the 1,350 kWh-capacity SPP fully meets the site’s energy requirements with renewable sources. Similar projects—both solar installations and alternative renewable energy initiatives—are underway at other locations as well.

Ekol also participates in the International Renewable Energy Certificate (IREC) program, which provides global certification for renewable energy generation and consumption. We convert the energy we produce into green credits through IREC certification, supporting our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and meet our Carbon Neutral targets. 

Ekol carefully monitors and manages its carbon footprint to minimize the environmental impact of its logistics and warehousing operations. We calculate our corporate carbon footprint—the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated directly and indirectly by our activities—in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e), in accordance with the GHG Protocol and the GLEC Framework methodology.

We calculate our comprehensive carbon footprint by considering factors such as:

• • • Energy consumption in warehouses and offices,
    • Use of refrigerant gases,
    • Lighting systems,
    • Emissions from procured goods and services, and
    • Waste management and recycling processes

We optimize energy consumption and reduce overall carbon emissions through our LEED-certified facilities and renewable energy investments.

We minimize the carbon impact of our logistics operations by considering multiple factors, including:

• Emissions from fuel consumption,
• Adoption of a low-carbon transportation model,
• Use of electric and hybrid vehicles,
• Emissions from service vehicles and business travel,
• Reduced fuel consumption through supply chain optimization

With a vision to offer sustainable and innovative solutions in the warehousing and logistics industry, our company operates with integrated management systems aligned with international standards, based on the principle of operational excellence.

Quality and Operational Excellence

Ekol manages all its business processes effectively and efficiently under the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, continuously enhancing its large-scale logistics operations in line with the principle of continuous improvement. With a strong focus on customer satisfaction, we systematically assess feedback in accordance with the ISO 10002:2018 standard, enabling us to consistently raise our service quality to the highest level.

Information Security and Operational Risk Management

Ekol complies with the ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Information Security Management System standard as part of its digital transformation and data governance efforts, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of all corporate data. We also maintain ISO 45001:2018 certification in occupational health and safety—an essential requirement in the logistics sector—and provide our employees with a safe and secure working environment.

Environment-Friendly and Sustainable Logistics Approach

Ekol’s commitment to sustainable logistics is supported by its ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System and ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management System certifications. We also calculate and report our greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the ISO 14064-1:2018 standard, as part of our strategy to minimize our carbon footprint.

Reliable Storage Solutions Aligned with International Standards

Ekol complies with BRC (Storage & Distribution) and TAPA FSR A-level security standards to ensure the highest levels of safety and quality in warehousing and transportation. We also align with NQC and Sedex systems to effectively manage supply chain risks.

Ekol has remained committed to fulfilling its responsibilities to society, the environment, and its employees since its founding in 1990. Guided by its social responsibility policy and the principle of “Positively Contributing to the Future of Society,” Ekol has implemented numerous projects over the years—and continues to do so—in line with its core values.

Ensuring That Future Generations Grow Into Socially Conscious and Well-Rounded Individuals

Ekol operates within a broad service network spanning multiple industries, making a meaningful impact on many aspects of everyday life. Ekol, guided by the cultural and social values of the communities it operates in, is committed to fulfilling its responsibility to help build a better society by supporting educational projects that nurture modern, forward-thinking generations.

Achieving Sustainable Growth Through Environmentally Responsible Business Practices

As natural resources dwindle, habitats shrink, and environmental degradation accelerates, Ekol recognizes the vital role companies must play in safeguarding the planet for future generations. With this responsibility in mind, Ekol designs environmentally conscious business models and processes, fosters environmental awareness among its employees, and actively supports nongovernmental organizations working to protect nature and biodiversity.

Ekol, believing that everything starts with love, launched a food bank initiative during the pandemic to support stray animals at risk of going hungry and opened its facility kitchens for food and kibble production. Since March 2020, over 1,250 metric tons of food have been produced and more than 500 metric tons of kibble distributed feeding 3.5 million stray animals. In addition, more than 150 animals have been adopted into loving homes through the project.

Ekol marked the years 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 with meaningful social responsibility initiatives aligned with its green logistics approach. Believing that the most valuable New Year’s gift for its business partners would be contributing to a greener Türkiye, Ekol partnered with the TEMA Foundation to establish memorial forests. As part of this collaboration, Ekol created forests of 5,000 saplings in four locations: Urla (İzmir) in 2012, Salihli (Manisa) in 2013, Kadıovacık–Urla (İzmir) in 2014, and Beyköy–Tefenni (Burdur) in 2015. Business partners received recyclable certificates with details of the project.

Ekol, in addition to its annual New Year donations to TEMA on behalf of its clients, contributed to the foundation’s Nature Education Program in 2016. During a special live broadcast organized by TEMA to celebrate its 25th anniversary, funds were raised to support environmental education for children. On this occasion, Ekol pledged to sponsor the nature education of 2,500 children.

Ekol considers raising future generations to be more socially conscious and well-equipped individuals a key part of its corporate social responsibility policy. Guided by the cultural and social values of the communities it operates in, Ekol is committed to fulfilling its responsibility to help build a better society by supporting educational projects that nurture modern, forward-thinking generations.

Ekol launched the industry’s first pilot project in 2013 by establishing an application warehouse and computer laboratory at Hezarfen Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School. Since its founding, Ekol has actively supported education, and as part of this commitment, it has built a 40-person capacity, high-tech computer lab and practice warehouses for students of the Logistics Department – Ekol Class. Ekol further expanded the initiative in 2014 by setting up a library to encourage reading habits and improve students’ communication skills. On-site training activities included facility visits and seminars led by experienced Ekol department managers. To better prepare students for careers in the sector, the company also developed educational booklets on warehouse management, distribution, and customs procedures. Ekol offers students internship opportunities at its facilities through this project. In recognition of the program’s impact, Ekol received the Special Jury Award in the Corporate Social Responsibility category at the 1st TEGEP Learning and Development Awards in 2015.

Ekol, in collaboration with Hezarfen Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, supports the continuing education of its blue-collar employees through the High School Graduation Project. While the pilot group continues their studies, 30 Ekol employees from the Contract Logistics Group joined the project in the 2014–2015 academic year, successfully completed the term, and advanced to 11th grade. Ekol aimed to scale the project company-wide and, during the 2015–2016 academic year, reached 104 participants from its facilities in Istanbul who wished to complete their high school education. Training is delivered through a combination of in-person and distance learning. On weekends, students attend logistics vocational courses at Pendik Hezarfen Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, while general education courses are provided via distance learning. Ekol’s blue-collar employees who complete the required credits become eligible to graduate with diplomas from the Vocational Open Education High School, Logistics Department.

Ekol launched the Don’t Wait! Donate! campaign in 2016 to support the library of Hezarfen Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School’s Logistics Department. Through book collection points set up across its facilities, Ekol encouraged voluntary participation from employees to help fill the library’s shelves. The campaign aimed to foster reading habits among students and support their development into well-informed, socially responsible individuals.

Darüşşafaka – Kitapcan Parent

Ekol also serves as a Kitapcan Parent for Darüşşafaka when needed.

In collaboration with Darüşşafaka and the Books for Everyone Everywhere Foundation, Ekol sponsored one class’s annual book needs through the Kitapcan Book Gift Card project. This initiative supported incoming fifth-grade students in the 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 academic years. Ekol continued this meaningful contribution in 2021, reaffirming its commitment to education and equal opportunity.

Ekol – University Collaborations

Ekol, recognizing that young people are among the most vital members of society, actively collaborates with universities to support their development. Through facility tours for university students,internship agreements with leading educational institutions, and participation in career days and panel events, Ekol helps equip students with the skills needed to enter the business world with confidence.

At the same time, Ekol fulfills its industry responsibility by contributing to the development of a highly qualified workforce. Ekol extended these efforts internationally by launching a collaboration with the Poznań School of Logistics in Poland in 2016. 

Ekol, a firm believer in the value of integrating theoretical knowledge with real-world application, met with senior students from the International Trade and Finance Department of Sakarya University’s Faculty of Business Administration during the 2022–2023 fall semester. The session, delivered by Ekol experts, focused on the theme of “Sustainability.”

Ekol welcomes university logistics clubs to its high-tech facilities equipped with advanced automation systems, offering students the chance to observe operational processes first hand. Through these visits, students gain a deeper understanding of the logistics sector and explore its wide ranging scope helping them make more informed career decisions.

Logistics Support to LÖSEV

Ekol has also been extending its logistics expertise and wide service network to support LÖSEV (The Foundation for Children with Leukemia) since 2007. In designated areas within its Ankara and Izmir warehouses, Ekol securely stores aid packages destined for LÖSEV beneficiaries. This support ensures that donations reach those in need safely and on time, whenever necessary.