Keeping the “Waste-Free Company” model in the focus of all its operations, Yıldız Holding issued its 6th Sustainability Report.

Incorporating an independent assurance statement for the first time, the report features the pioneering efforts of Yıldız Holding and its companies to prevent food waste, ensure effective waste management, decarbonization, energy and water efficiency in addition to their impact on employees, value chain, social benefit, and innovative business models. Yıldız Holding Vice Chair and CEO Mehmet Tütüncü says: “Driven by our ‘This Is Our World’ approach, we aim to create value  as we transform together with our entire value chain.” 

Yıldız Holding adopts a system transformation mentality that goes beyond sustainability as it runs its operations in the focus areas of “Working for the Future of Nature,” “Getting Stronger with Stakeholders,” and “Inspiring the Future” as part of its “This Is Our World” approach.

The Holding’s 6th sustainability report features the industry-transforming practices and collaborations of Ülker Bisküvi, Kerevitaş, Şok Marketler, pladis, Adapazarı Şeker, Aytaç Gıda, and Bizim Toptan. Continuing its decarbonization journey with the goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions across its entire value chain by 2050, Yıldız Holding aims to carry the decarbonization initiative that was initially implemented at pladis and then at Kerevitaş to its other affiliates in its operations.

“We aim to create value as we transform together with our entire ecosystem.”

Yıldız Holding Vice Chair and CEO Mehmet Tütüncü said they have implemented circular business models and practices with their food and retail companies, taking responsibility for preventing food waste, waste management, decarbonization, and energy and water efficiency. Tütüncü stated that, driven by their ‘This Is Our World’ approach, they aim to create value with all their stakeholders, focusing on efficiency, digitalization, and people. He added: “As we work toward raising awareness in these areas on the one hand, we develop effective practices to reduce waste at every step, from harvest to consumption, on the other, knowing that we play a transforming role in the broad ecosystem we influence.”

Contribution to Circular Economy

Yıldız Holding and its companies have significantly contributed to the Turkish economy and nature by enabling savings of millions of TRY through their efforts in food waste prevention, waste management, decarbonization, and energy and water efficiency.   

Ülker Bisküvi, operates with a waste-free company model and develops sustainable raw material procurement projects dedicated to wheat, hazelnuts, and cacao. It started using the wheat produced as part of its long-term project Aliağa Biscuit Wheat in its products as of October 2022. Meeting almost 43 percent of its electricity needs from renewable sources, Ülker continues its efforts to keep greenhouse gas emissions under control, aiming to become a “net zero company” by 2050.

Kerevitaş saved TRY 5.9 million with packaging reduction projects and TRY 8.6 million through waste management.

ŞOK Marketler achieved energy savings of up to 15 percent through the “Store Energy Efficiency Project” it implemented to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption in 2022.

Aytaç Gıda implements food waste recycling projects to prevent food waste. The company recycled almost 1.5 tons of food in 2022.

Adapazarı Şeker performed an analysis concerning water risks and integrated the results into its decision-making and procurement processes.

Bizim Toptan installed a rooftop solar energy system in its Gebze store as part of renewable energy investments to reduce emissions and struggle against climate change. The company meets all its electricity requirements renewably now.

Executive female employee ratio over 30 percent

Yıldız Holding works in close collaboration with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality (UN Women) in equal opportunities and inclusion, focusing on establishing equal opportunities at all levels and across its entire value chain. The Holding supports women’s employment in all its companies and suppliers, with a female employee rate of over 30 in the Holding’s executive levels and almost 20 percent on boards. It also has a long-term collaboration with the Women’s Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program supported by UN Women.

Continuous technology investments

Providing full support to R&D and innovation as well, Yıldız Holding invests in innovative ways of doing business. The Holding’s digital innovation-oriented R&D efforts are implemented by Yıldız Tech, which was granted an “On-Site R&D Center” status by the Ministry of Industry and Technology, while Yıldız Ventures and Gözde Tech Ventures focus on responsible food and retail start-ups that inspire the future.