GSK Türkiye and Toplum Gönüllüleri Vakfı Partner Up

GSK Turkey and Community Volunteers Foundation Collaboration GSK Turkey implemented the second phase of the "GSK with ATAK" project, carried out in collaboration with Community Volunteers Foundation (TOG). Continuing with environmental cleanup activities organized as part of World Environment Day, the project resulted in the collection of 400 kilograms of waste sent for recycling at environmental cleanup meetings held in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. Within the framework of GSK Turkey's environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) policies, the company launched the "GSK with ATAK" project together with TOG, aiming to increase sustainability awareness among GSK employees and the community. Events held under the GSK with ATAK umbrella, targeting to address the commonly observed low sustainability awareness in Turkey's major cities through applied methods, were conducted in 3 different provinces: Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara. Following waste collection events that started on 5 June World Environment Day with community volunteer youth and continued on different dates throughout the month, a total of 400 kilograms of waste was collected. At events held respectively at Istanbul Kilyos Kısırkaya Beach, Izmir Çınaraltı Urban Forest and Ankara Yağlıpınar Pond, groups formed with the participation of a total of 153 community volunteers and GSK employees, along with their families, carried out forest, coastal and environmental cleanup activities and separated the waste. In addition to bread, food and organic waste, the collected plastic, glass, metal and paper waste resulted in savings of 18 kg of greenhouse gas, 18,500 kWh of energy and 14 litres of oil, while the collected cigarette butts prevented the pollution of approximately 8,000 litres of clean water. Speaking on the matter, GSK Turkey Communications and Patient Relations Leader Selcen Çökdü said "While we have observed an increase in sustainability-related efforts, we have noticed that awareness on this subject is insufficient in major cities, and as GSK Turkey we have taken action on this matter. With our motto 'Healthy planet, healthy people' at our back, when we think about how we can contribute to our world, we concluded that sustainability awareness can only be gained through practical application. Unless we grasp the essence of this word which we hear frequently these days; unless we stop polluting our seas and forests; we are ignoring the future of the only living space we possess. For this reason, this project that we carried out in collaboration with TOG, a valued partner in our corporate social responsibility projects, is very important to us. I would like to thank the GSK employees who contributed to the implementation of this project, the community volunteer youth and everyone who supported it." TOG General Director Ayşe Kırımlı, expressing satisfaction at successfully completing the second phase of the GSK with ATAK project, stated "For 20 years, we call the projects brought to life by Community Volunteer youth from different cities of Turkey coming together around a common goal TOG ATAK. We are very pleased to implement ATAK projects with GSK Turkey this year. We find such collaborations very valuable in creating a cleaner nature for everyone and a sustainable world, and in spreading environmental awareness in society. Within the scope of 5 June World Environment Day, our environmental cleanup and waste separation activities conducted with GSK employees in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir showed us how much positive impact even small steps like these can have on the environment. On this occasion, we wish for increased environmental and sustainability awareness in our society, and we sincerely thank the Community Volunteers and GSK Turkey employees who contributed to our project."