Verizon Earns 2009 Green Choice Award From 'Natural Health' Magazine
NEW YORK - Natural Health magazine has awarded Verizon a 2009 Green Choice Award for the company's recycling and conservation initiatives, including efforts to encourage customers and shareholders to choose paperless options.
A profile of Verizon in the May issue of the magazine highlights some of the company's green initiatives, such as Verizon Wireless' HopeLine program. Through HopeLine, more than 5.6 million cell phones were kept from potentially ending up in landfills and were used instead to fund more than $6.3 million in cash grants to domestic violence agencies. Also mentioned in the article is a Verizon initiative under which more than 8,800 trees were planted, one for every shareholder and Verizon Business customer that agreed to receive reports and bills electronically.
"We're committed to finding practical and innovative ways to increase energy efficiency and bolster our conservation efforts," said Joan Simpson, Verizon's vice president for green and sustainability strategies. "Verizon is honored to have been chosen by Natural Health magazine as being among the greenest companies."
Verizon was among 10 companies chosen by the magazine for the first Green Choice Awards. The criteria for selection were the companies' alternative energy sourcing, energy reduction programs, recycling and composting initiatives, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications, and overall green track records.
In 2008 alone, Verizon's conservation efforts reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 303,000 metric tons, the equivalent of taking more than 55,500 cars off the road. Overall, Verizon's "carbon intensity" is approximately nine times below the U.S. average, as reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Also in 2008, Verizon launched a pilot project that reduced the energy used by computers and monitors by installing software to remotely shut off computers not in use. Once extended throughout the company, the initiative should result in energy savings expected to be equivalent to the annual energy needs of 88,000 homes.
Verizon also operates the largest fuel cell site of its kind in the nation. The company's Energy Star Award-winning facility in Garden City, N.Y., uses seven fuel cells capable of generating enough electrical power per hour to meet the energy needs of 400 single-family homes. Examples of how Verizon continues to make good on its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its operations include:
- Verizon Wireless signed two marketing agreements that facilitate the deployment of smart power grid projects.
- Verizon Business will continue upgrading its fiber-optic network with equipment that is four times more efficient and also reduces cooling costs. This could be equivalent to keeping as many as 16,000 cars off the road annually.
- Verizon is continuing to work on new data center designs that reduce energy consumption and associated costs.
- Verizon is continuing to install energy-efficient "thin-client" computers, reducing the associated energy usage by 30 percent.
For more information on the company's environmental initiatives, visit http://newscenter2.verizon.com/kit/green-press-kit/.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 86 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations provide converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. Wireline also includes Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 237,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.
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