Tag: ecology

Be ECO with Edyta! Test the machine for the earth!

Posted on by Katarzyna Halicka

We invite you to our patio on May 15. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the amazing Edyta Bieniasz-Krzywiec from Bayer (
winner of the Olivia Prize in the Eco category
 !) will present the fantastic Machine for the Planet! You can approach, ask, test, learn everything about how to recycle plastic into everyday objects at home (wow), e.g. combs and buttons.

 

The event is part of a larger project dedicated to Bayer employees and their families, called Eco Family Days. This is the second edition of EFD organized by the Bayer community, WeCharity and EcoFriends to inspire and encourage people to live in the spirit of ECO.

 

 

What’s on the agenda?

 

Edyta’s team will present (and promote, of course!) the production of everyday objects from materials obtained as part of the HOME circular economy. Of course, with particular emphasis on plastics and bio-waste.

 

There will also be a mini-workshop (not only for children) with a demonstration of techniques for forming waste plastic using a mobile injection molding machine powered by green energy and creating objects from bio-plastic formed from homemade biomass. You can try to create such a comb or a super button.

 

And there will be useful advice from our experts on: your own composter and eco-compost for your own use or the pH of the soil.

 

There will be interesting materials to take!

Olivia Centre
Patio

Wednesday, 15.05 | 11:30-13:30

 

Edyta Bieniasz-Krzywiec and her family run the
EcoFloral Profile
 website and it’s worth taking a look there:)

 

 

WE INVITE YOU TOGETHER WITH OUR RESIDENT, BAYER

 

 

 

 

Let’s make Olivia green!

Posted on by Katarzyna Halicka

Dear Residents,

 

As you know, on May 13 we are starting the reconstruction of our patio. We are greening Olivia. For you. We create a wooded space, full of grass and flowers, where you will be able to rest, relax and delight. The project is large, its implementation takes time, so we divided the work into stages.

 

The first one includes the development of the area between the Olivia Star building and Olivia Six, which will allow us to create a new, functional outdoor space. The works will take several weeks and we will be able to enjoy the refreshed part of the patio in the summer.

 

We make every effort to ensure that everything runs smoothly and does not interfere with all everyday functioning in Olivia. Access to the revolving door from the Olivia Six side will be provided throughout the duration of our works.

 

Below we present a visualization of the space after the reconstruction.
Here you will find a plan with an indication of the place where the work will be carried out
 (marked in green).

 

 

Green Power! Keep your fingers crossed!

 

 

Olivia Star with green financing

Posted on by Katarzyna Halicka

Olivia Star received a Green Loan from three existing lenders at the same time; A consortium of Santander Bank Polska S.A., BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A. and Bank Millennium S.A. Olivia is the first office developer in Poland to announce that it has obtained this type of financing. The refinancing loan required a detailed verification of the implemented solutions for the refinancing of the loan. sustainable development, thanks to which it was possible to obtain attractive financing conditions and increase it to the amount of nearly EUR 83 million. Olivia Star is a part of Olivia Centre, the largest business centre in Poland. Legal services were provided by KLBF Kycia Legal.

 

“We are glad to continue our cooperation with our partners, as green financing confirms that the adopted strategy in the field of responsible business conduct is appreciated not only by tenants, who willingly choose Olivia as their office location, but also by banks financing investments related to ambitious criteria for green real estate ,” he says Krzysztof Raćkos, Olivia’s Chief Financial Officer.

 

Obtaining green financing is a confirmation that the solutions implemented in the Olivia Star building – the highest building in northern Polish – meet international standards and are in line with the direction of good, ecological practices that the entire real estate market should follow. Among the criteria that are evaluated are the energy efficiency of systems in buildings, increasing their stability and failure-free operation, monitoring of systems to counteract defects and risks to the natural environment and people working in buildings, as well as pro-social solutions affecting the well-being of employees.

 

– Green Loan meets the Green Loan Principles developed by the Loan Market Association (LMA), an international association based in London that brings together more than 850 banks, institutional investors, law firms and credit rating agencies. For many years, the LMA has been developing standards for documents, including loan agreements, which are now a commonly used market practice in the world. This is a confirmation of the fact that Olivia is a leader in the commercial real estate industry in Poland and in the world on many levels – says Bogusław Wieczorek, attorney-at-law, Plenipotentiary of the Management Board for public relations.

 

The special solutions implemented in Olivia include the modernization of the cooling system in the building, thanks to which its efficiency increased by 30%, and the modernization of the water chiller (increase in efficiency by up to 20%). A new automation of air handling units was introduced (reduction of energy consumption by 15%), installation of 100% LED lighting and air ionizers, thanks to which employees can breathe air free of viruses, PM 2.5 and PM 10 dust, free from allergens, mold and fungi. A significant part of the monitoring system was also digitized, which allowed to increase the level of security and reduce the costs of surveillance, and thus the costs of renting space. Thanks to these and a number of other solutions, Olivia has obtained numerous certificates and awards, among which the most important are the BREEAM certification at the Excellent level and the WELL HSR certificate, in which Olivia was the first in the world to obtain 25 points out of 25 possible, in 22 basic categories and 3 additional ones, related to innovations implemented in its area. Olivia is one of the first Polish business centres, despite its lack of commitment, but out of a sense of responsibility, to conduct ESG reporting using the global GRI 2021 standards and TCFD recommendations. In addition, Olivia is implementing further projects, in line with the ESG strategy (m.in. decarbonization, social) and detailed policies in the field of environmental and social responsibility based on the prepared Code of Conduct. Olivia’s commitment to climate issues is also reflected in her membership in the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the largest global initiative for sustainable business.

 

“Such a comprehensive approach to thinking about sustainable development is our consistently implemented standard, including care for Olivia’s natural and social environment,” says Agata Kwapisiewicz, ESG Officer at Olivia Centre. – Our green solutions not only translate into increased business competitiveness, but also attractiveness in the eyes of Gdańsk residents and tourists. The first green loan in the group shows that such thinking also bears fruit in the form of financing granted.

A flower has bloomed in Olivia Garden, the appearance of which in natural conditions in Poland is considered impossible!

Posted on by Katarzyna Halicka

Our year-round garden, Olivia Garden, delights and surprises. This time, it was possible to breed a flowering cycad (Cycas circinalis of the species Macrozamia mooroi). It naturally occurred in this latitude 60 million years ago. Today, its bloom in natural conditions is considered impossible.

 

The cycad is one of the oldest living plant species on Earth – says Tomasz Zabłocki, an expert from Platan, a gardener, and an inspector of tropical plant supervision. Its fossils date back more than 200 million years. It is often called a “living fossil” because of its long evolutionary history. The last flower that bloomed in Poland 10 years ago took 150 years. Their long-term growth makes cycads a symbol of longevity, endurance and strength in many cultures around the world, which is why they are often planted near temples and houses as an amulet bringing good luck to the place.

 

It is a great joy for us and a proof that we have managed to create a real, living botanical garden, where plants from 5 continents thrive – says Bogusław Wieczorek, Plenipotentiary of the Management Board of Olivia Centre. Two years of the garden’s existence might not seem like a long time, but the growth of the plants is already impressive. We are most pleased that the plants have perfectly acclimatized, coexist and grow wonderfully, which evokes a number of positive emotions and makes the greatest impression on our guests, especially during the winter and autumn months.

 

Cycads are plants that dominated the Mesozoic period, i.e. at a time when dinosaurs lived on Earth. Cycads are known for their slow growth rate and longevity. The world’s oldest known specimen of cicada, dating back to 6,000 years, belongs to the species encephalartos woodii and grows in the botanical garden in Pretoria, South Africa. Their height usually reaches up to 2.5 meters. The trunk of the Oliwa specimen has already grown to nearly two meters, but its leaves already reach nearly 4 meters, which confirms that it has been possible to create really optimal conditions for the development of plants.

 

 

An interesting fact may also be that cycads are dioecious plants, so they have separate male and female plants. Males produce conical structures called struules, and female plants produce seed cones. Insects are necessary for their reproduction, without which this process cannot take place in natural conditions.

 

These plants hide many secrets: they are said to belong to poisonous species, since chemicals such as toxic cardenol glycosides are found in different parts of the cycad, however, these compounds are used in traditional medicine as effective laxatives, antibacterial and antivirals. What’s more, these plants have developed their own protective mechanisms against insects and other pests. Their leaves contain azadirachtin, which has an insect repellent effect.

 

Their seeds belong to the group of extremely hardy ones. It has been proven that they can survive fires, extreme temperatures, long periods of drought or prolonged immersion in water. Thanks to this, they can also travel long distances and develop in new areas.

 

The species of Cycasa that bloomed in Olivia Garden is Macrozamia mooroi and is endemic to Australia, originally growing in a limited area of northern Queensland. Its trunk can reach a height of up to 2 meters, although it is usually much lower. It is typically found in forests and wooded areas with well-drained soils. It plays an important ecological role as a food source and habitat for a variety of animals, including insects and birds. The bright red seeds produced by this cicada are often eaten and spread by the local fauna.

 

5. Conservation status: Macrozamia mooroi is listed as an endangered species in its natural habitat. Efforts are being made to protect and conserve this species, including conservation programs, habitat restoration, and educational campaigns.

 

Olivia Garden is an exotic garden opened in 2021 that is located in the heart of Olivia Centre in Gdańsk, the largest business center in Poland. The space of 7500 m3 is filled with nearly 4 thousand sqm. plants from 5 continents, and the height of the tallest of them reaches up to 11 meters. It is the largest exotic garden in Northern Poland, where, in addition to vegetation, there is an amphitheatre, dishes from all over the world are available, as well as workplaces in the spirit of deep work, as well as places for meetings and integration. It is a fully professionally prepared space, which is filled with adaptive lighting, allowing plants to develop even in the absence of access to daylight, a professional irrigation system and sprinklers. During the day, the humidity in the garden provides a comfortable living environment, but at night this space turns into a real exotic jungle, where humidity and temperatures are close to those in the equatorial zone.

 

Welcome to Olivia Garden!

 

Remember that if you are an Olivia Resident and have the My Olivia app, you have a free ticket to the garden.
You can visit it whenever you want!

 

23 January: No Plastic Packaging Day

Posted on by Zosia Nadolska

Foil packaging – a practical invention that revolutionized the way things are packed and transported. Not so long ago, most products were in glass or paper packaging. Today, plastic bags can be found everywhere… Have you ever wondered what happens to them after they are thrown in the trash? Have you ever wondered how many foil packages you use in a year?

 

The origins of the plastic bag date back to the 1960s. of the last century. Then this Swedish engineer, Gustav Thulin Sten, He invented and patented a polyethylene version of the bag, which very quickly gained great popularity in stores. We are currently consuming 5 trillion plastic bags… annually! That’s 160,000 per second! And more than 700 per year for every person on the planet. Plastic pollution is a global problem, directly affecting people all over the world. Large plastic components break down into microplastics, which have been confirmed to be present in food such as honey, crustaceans and fishCh. It’s high time we started consciously avoiding single-use products and plastic packaging in our daily lives.

 

Do you know how long it takes for waste, including plastic, to decompose?

 

  • Plastic bag – 20 years
  • Takeaway cups – 30 years
  • Plastic bottles – 450 years
  • Plastic cups – 500 years
  • Diapers – 500 years
  • Coffee capsules – 500 years

Data Source Provider: https://wwf.org.au/blogs/the-lifecycle-of-plastics/

 

Source: ekopaka.org “Recycling and the decomposition of waste”

 

In order to minimize the number of plastic bags around the world, more and more countries are opting for legal restrictions on plastic bags. distribution. In France or Australia, there is a ban on the use of plastic bags. The same is true in Alaska. Some supermarkets in the UK offer small discounts for coming with a reusable bag. On the other hand, in the capital of India – Delhi, plastic can only be used to transport biomedical waste. Did you know that, unfortunately, not all plastic packaging is recyclable?

 

Before you buy something in synthetic packaging, check its label – it may be plastic labeled as “non-reusable”.

The negative effects of using plastic packaging influenced the establishment of the date of 23 January, the Day Without Plastic Packaging. This is the moment when we can learn more about the impact of plastic on the world around us and introduce new, “planet-loving” habits into practice. Over the past few years, we have seen an increase in our commitment to helping the planet.

 

Companies located in Olivia Centre also contribute to minimizing the number of plastic packaging.

For example, Lyreco has committed itself to reducing the use of this type of packaging and banning non-recyclable plastic packaging by 2025 as part of the Lyreco Circular Economy.

The Żabka chain of stores has introduced ECOmats

that enable the return of disposable packaging, which will be used to produce new ones.

The autumn weather does not interfere with the help – EPAM employees together with representatives of the External Areas Maintenance Section of the Jagiellonian University Campus cleaned the green space next to the university buildings by collecting plastic bottles, cans and food packaging.

We also can’t forget about the catering outlets: in Natka, some of the packaging is made of rPET, i.e. recycled plastic.

For bringing your reusable cup, Starbucks offers discounts on drinks.

 

What can each of us do?

Source:
https://www.facebook.com/WWFpl/

Olivia Garden awarded the prestigious 2022 European Property Awards!

Posted on by Katarzyna Halicka

Our phenomenal Olivia Garden, the only exotic garden in Poland located in the heart of the business center, has been awarded the prestigious 2022 European Property Awards, in the “Landscape Architecture” category. The winners were: Malinowski Design Urban & Landscape, which he is the author of the project and Olivia Centre – the investor and operator of the garden.

 

The competition, which dates back to 1993, brings together the best projects from all over Europe. Every year, several thousand investors from all over the world submit their applications, and the winning projects are selected by a jury consisting of real estate market experts, architects, journalists and investment advisors. The projects compete in four categories: investment, architecture, interior design and the real estate market, where the achievements of industry leaders are awarded.

 

Olivia Garden is a carefully designed space with an area of nearly 800 m2, filled with thousands of tropical plants, representing over 150 different species of plants from such exotic countries as Indonesia, Australia, New Guinea, Madagascar, Malaysia, Borneo, Costa Rica, Venezuela, and the tropical forests of the Amazon. In addition to numerous plants reaching 2-3 meters in height, more than 30 large trees have been planted in the garden, the largest of which reach up to 11 meters above the ground.

 


Olivia Garden
 is the result of innovative thinking about the nature of the workplace, where the proximity of nature has a positive effect on well-being and work efficiency. The project was created in response to the needs of the residents of the business centre and for the residents of the Tri-City, for whom it is another attraction and a proposal to spend their free time.

 

Olivia Garden has been divided into 4 zones to offer space for various activities. In the shade of the Bucida Bucerasblack olive nestled in the vast mezzanine, there is a TiKi-style bar, serving fresh cocktails and light oriental cuisine. The garden is perfect as a space for social and business meetings, independent work and rest, as well as for lectures, workshops or concerts, as it has an amphitheatre, tables hidden among dense vegetation and comfortable relaxation areas.

 

“I am very pleased that the work we have done together is so highly appreciated, this time by the jury of the European Property Awards ,” says Dariusz Malinowski from Malinowski Design Urban & Landscape. – It also shows that such solutions are expected by users. Guests who have already visited our garden know that it is an extraordinary “jungle” in which a person feels full comfort and plants develop luxuriantly. It is a truly living organism in which we have provided the plants with ideal growing conditions. This is evidenced literally and figuratively by the fruits of our labor, as we more and more often harvest papaya, pomegranate or cocoa fruits growing on trees in the garden. And they are not at all there just for decoration, because once they are ripe, they end up in the kitchen or Tiki bar, where exotic cocktails are prepared to make them. I would like to thank everyone who took part in the project for their passion for work and determination.

 

The aim of Olivia Garden is to provide a new quality of spending time, work and relaxation in direct connection with nature, regardless of the season and weather conditions. The glazed body has a characteristically sloping roof, referring to the architecture of the top of the Olivia Star building, at the base of which it is located, and the historic body of the Olivia Hall, with which Olivia is adjacent. The Malinowski Design Urban & Landscape studio is responsible for the interior design design, and the Design Anatomy studio was responsible for the implementation. Work on the final concept lasted many months and involved not only architects and botanists, but also an interdisciplinary team of specialists, consulting solutions with the residents of Olivia Centre.

 

– After months of operation, Olivia Garden has already become a mature project, and the plants have already undergone full acclimatization, so they are growing lushly, creating a unique impression on all guests, who can try sweet and juicy papayas – says Bogusław Wieczorek, Olivia Centre’s representative. It is very important that this space is appreciated by our residents, who use it on a daily basis as a place offering respite, relaxation, but also a space that allows for concentration and stimulates creativity. It is an absolutely unique project, which is also appreciated by numerous Tri-City residents and tourists. This is particularly important to us, because we want everyone to feel at home in Olivia. That’s why we’ve been developing features that appeal to a wide audience for years and that attract guests all day, 7 days a week. Particularly popular is the observation deck, which is located on the 32p. Olivii Star, prestigious restaurants of 33p. or the conference and event center from the 34. Floors. It is worth recalling that these spaces have already been awarded in the European Property Awards competition in 2020, and previously won the award of the Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship as the event of the year.

 

  • Residents of Olivia Centre, owners of the My Olivia application, use Olivia Garden and the Observation Deck free of charge.
  • Guests buy a ticket, which provides an extraordinary experience in Olivia Garden and allows them to visit the Observation Deck.

 

Eco Olivia: circular paper economy

Posted on by Katarzyna Halicka

We are the first business center in Poland where Tork PaperCircle is implemented – an innovative recycling service for used paper towels. Tork PaperCircle is the world’s first project to recycle recycled paper towels. It enables the implementation of circular economy in public facilities, which is crucial in terms of rational resource management.

 

Paper towels are currently the most popular method of drying hands, but only 1% of them are recycled today. After the implementation of Tork PaperCircle in Olivia, exactly 100% of the towels will be recycled and can be reused. The scale of the undertaking is considerable; Employees of companies with offices in similar facilities use more than 11 million paper towels annually. From now on, all towels that end up in the containers will be transported to Essity’s local factories and processed into new paper products.

 

This type of waste management has another important dimension. Thanks to its implementation, the reduction of CO2 consumption generated in connection with paper production will reach 40%.

 

– Olivia is eager to implement any innovations that are conducive to environmental protection, circular economy or improvement of the natural environment – says Bogusław Wieczorek, Plenipotentiary of the Management Board of Olivia Centre. – Tork PaperCircle is our next eco-friendly project. Recently, we have prepared a nesting house for the peregrine falcon, which has set its sights on the top of our tallest building, Olivia Star, and regularly lives there. Environmental responsibility is close to our hearts already at the design stage of each building; each of them is subject to strict BREEAM certification, obtaining grades ranging from Very Good to Excellent. -Adds.

 

“It is very important for us to promote such a policy among residents, hence the annual Olivia Eco award for companies whose projects contribute to the improvement of the natural environment. This year, the title was awarded together with the United Nations Global Compact. The awareness and activity of our residents in this area is impressive: in 2020, ABAX planted 100,000 trees, and in 2021, ZR Trade implemented a #ZeroWasteWorking project, assuming the introduction of good practices in everyday work, which not only contributed to more efficient management of resources, but also to the perfect integration of employees – says Bogusław Wieczorek.

 

Let’s protect the Baltic Sea!

Posted on by Katarzyna Halicka

The Baltic Sea is not only an element of our identity. It is a good that we should take special care of. How do we do it? Not particularly… It’s a sensitive sea. Including. Because they are characterized by low salinity and difficult access to ocean waters. But it is not the geographical conditions of the Baltic Sea that cause him difficulties. The truth is that the biggest problem of the Baltic Sea is… man.

 

It is us who have contributed to the fact that the following are listed as the greatest threats to the Baltic Sea:

  • increasing area of dead zones,
  • lack of effectively managed marine protected areas;
  • ghost nets,
  • the negative consequences of unsustainable fisheries for marine nature.

Today, the Baltic Sea is one of the most polluted seas in the world. It is a reservoir that undergoes enormous eutrophication, i.e. fertilization. The sea under great pressure from climate change; And finally, the sea, which, although not dying, needs our care and active action to remain as close as possible to the form we know.

 

In 2021, HELCOM (Helsinki Commission – Commission for the Protection of the Baltic Marine Environment) adopted an updated Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP).

It applies to m.in. biodiversity, eutrophication, hazardous substances, climate change, marine litter, shipping and fisheries. It contains about 200 specific actions to be taken to protect the Baltic Sea. All of them are to be implemented by 2030 at the latest.

 

The fate of the Baltic Sea also depends on us. Our day-to-day decisions (including holiday decisions) and our lifestyles have an impact on the fragile marine ecosystem. Let’s make our sea still as beautiful as you see it in the Olivia Star exhibition. What can we do to improve the condition of the Baltic Sea? Let’s be aware, responsible and more eco-friendly.

 

Let’s produce less waste:

  • let’s reduce the use of plastic (and preferably give it up); plastic is one of the most troublesome problems in the Baltic Sea (and beyond);
  • make informed purchasing decisions – buy only as much as you need;
  • segregate rubbish carefully;
  • Let’s try to give waste a second life.

 

Let’s reduce our daily water consumption:

  • do not turn on the water fully when it is not necessary;
  • turn off the water in moments (even short ones) when it is not being used;
  • take a shower instead of a bath;
  • use rainwater (e.g. for watering flowers);
  • Start the dishwasher only when it is full and use the “eco” programs.

 

Let’s take care of our ecosystem:

  • let’s check where our fish comes from and whether it is not threatened with extinction – some fish available in stores are protected and may come from illegal fishing;
  • pay attention to the composition of clothes and choose those that are made of natural fabrics;
  • let’s get involved in cleaning up forests, beaches, rivers and lakes;
  • Let’s plant trees.

 

Let’s reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere:

  • Instead of a car, we should more often choose a bike ride or public transport;
  • choose products with energy efficiency class A;
  • turn off unused electronic devices;
  • Let’s use heating and cooling rationally.

 

More:

baltyk.onet.pl

wwf.pl/morza-i-oceany

Olivia is always on a roll

Posted on by Katarzyna Halicka

Olivia Centre is an example of a business centre that goes far beyond the traditional approach to the customer. With a strong focus on innovation and flexibility, this dynamic workspace offers not only offices, but also an entire ecosystem that fosters business growth and success. At a time when competition in the job market is increasingly fierce, finding a way to motivate employees and keep them engaged has become extremely important to the success of an organization. Olivia Centre offers a range of sports and artistic activities, in which an increasing number of residents of the centre take part every year. The location of Olivia Centre on the Baltic Sea provides not only a wonderful view, but also a unique offer of cruises on the Bay of Gdańsk, dedicated to all members of the Olivia Centre community.

 

Olivia Yacht Club , as this is the name of the initiative, brings together not only experienced sailors, but also people who want to start their adventure with the sea in this way. You don’t have to be an employee of the Olivia Centre company to take part in the cruise, the organizers have also provided a pool of places for people without resident status. Cruises depart every Wednesday afternoon, usually from Marina Sopot. A place on the boat can be booked in the My Olivia app or on the oliviacentre.com website.

 

Beautiful views from the high floors of my office are not the only benefit of Olivia’s seaside location. All Residents can easily join the cruises on the Bay of Gdansk, individually or even with the whole team, or you can invite a loved one. Taking part in the cruise does not require any complicated preparations, you book a place, pay an attractive price, and then set off on an adventure from the port of Sopot. I recommend it to anyone who likes the sun on their face, wind in their hair and rocking on the sea waves. ­– says Maciej Zielonka, Function developing engineer at Sii Poland.

 

There are more satisfied sailors like Maciej Zielonka. Qualitative research conducted among Residents (employees of companies in Olivia Centre) at the end of 2022 indicates that attendance in offices is increasing on sports activity days. Despite the fact that hybrid work has recently gained in importance, we recorded 45% higher attendance in our buildings than in 2021 and the highest number of events in history organized at the Olivia Centre. This would not have been possible without Olivia’s community.

 

SAIL WITH US ON MAY 21

Miele will help you dispose of your old vacuum cleaner.

Posted on by Katarzyna Halicka

Take care of our planet. Once again, we are working together with Miele. The action is simple! If you have an old vacuum cleaner at home, simply bring it to your Miele showroom by November 15 and our Resident will dispose of it at no cost.

 

In addition, if someone not only wants to get rid of the old equipment, but also to buy a new, eco-vacuum cleaner, Miele has prepared attractive offers. Ask in the store.

 

Did you know?

  • E-waste can be a source of valuable raw materials that can be reused while saving the Earth’s natural resources. To be able to use them, they must go to an e-waste collection point and then to a treatment plant, where they will be recycled. Source: Recycling – No E-Waste Day (dzienbezelektrosmieci.pl)

 

WELCOME!