Podgorica, 06 February 2025 – The Central Bank of Montenegro (CBCG) has received the Zero Waste Business Certification, confirming the Bank’s commitment to sustainable resource management and the systematic reduction of waste through its organisational processes and day-to-day operations. The certification was carried out in accordance with the Zero Waste Business Certification methodology of the European organisations Mission Zero Academy and Zero Waste Europe, and in compliance with the criteria, which were verified through an external audit. With this, CBCG has become the first bank in the banking sector to be awarded the Zero Waste Business Certification under this program, further affirming its role as an institution that, in addition to its core mandate, contributes to broader societal goals, including environmental protection and the promotion of sustainable practices.
“This recognition confirms that the Central Bank of Montenegro does not view sustainability as a standalone initiative, but as an integral part of its long-term development strategy. Our commitment is that, in addition to preserving financial stability, we also contribute to building a responsible, resilient, and environmentally sustainable society, in line with best European practices.” said Irena Radović, Governor of the Central Bank of Montenegro.
As part of the certification process, through multiple phases and modules covering strategic approach, waste flow monitoring, employee engagement, internal procedures and procurement, as well as specific measures tailored to an office environment, CBCG has established and demonstrated a clear commitment to introducing zero waste principles and practices into its operations. A system for separate waste collection has been organized in all Bank premises, measures have been introduced to reduce paper consumption and optimize printing, and special attention has been paid to strengthening a culture of waste prevention and reuse.
“As an auditor, I can confirm that the Central Bank of Montenegro has met all the criteria and that the certificate has been fully deserved. The achieved results represent an example of outstanding practice in the banking sector and serve as a strong incentive for other institutions to recognize the value of systematically introducing zero waste principles. I particularly emphasize the readiness of the Central Bank of Montenegro to go a step further than existing local capacities, as well as the mentoring contribution of Vanja Cicmil from the organization Zero Waste Montenegro, whose solutions for waste separation and recycling have exceeded the current capabilities of the municipal waste management system in Montenegro.” said Ana Golja, Zero Waste Business Certification Auditor, Ekologi Brez Meja.
During the process, the Central Bank implemented a series of preventive measures aligned with the EU waste hierarchy. The procurement of water in single-use plastic bottles was discontinued, single-use plastic packaging and individual product packaging were eliminated, and the Bank initiated the procurement of a water filtration and refilling system, which will further strengthen prevention efforts and significantly reduce the purchase of water in glass packaging. An electric composter for composting food waste has been installed in the Bank’s canteen. In the sanitary facilities, hand dryers have been installed to reduce the consumption of paper towels. In parallel, CBCG is carrying out the digitalization of processes, which is already yielding significant results in reducing paper waste, while all employees have completed training under this program.
“This certificate is important for Montenegro because it shows that sustainable practices can be successfully implemented and measurable results achieved even within a fragmented waste management system such as the one we currently have. Through this process, the Central Bank of Montenegro has demonstrated that institutions in Montenegro can be drivers of change and examples of good practice in Europe. Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to personally witness the genuine commitment of the CBCG team, their organization, and their readiness to consistently implement changes in practice. Thanks to this approach, CBCG met the certification criteria a full six months ahead of the planned deadline. This achievement can serve as a strong incentive for other entities in Montenegro to launch programs that reduce negative environmental impact and contribute to more modern and responsible resource management.” said Vanja Cicmil, Certification Process Mentor for the Central Bank, Zero Waste Montenegro.
