Verizon Wins '2008 Green Excellence of the Year Award'

Verizon (News - Alert) has been recognized with Frost & Sullivan's 2008 Green Excellence of the Year Award in the Corporate Leadership category for the telecom services industry, said an announcement from Verizon.

 

Verizon won the award for its efforts in enhancing long-term sustainability and managing the environmental impact of company operations that lead to a measurable improvement in the company's overall environmental impact within its industry sector, according to Frost & Sullivan (News - Alert).

 

The award also recognizes companies that have excelled in green product and technology innovation, and service achievements that promote sustainability.

 

Verizon improved its infrastructure to energy efficient model and adopted alternative energy sources such as clean-burning fuel cells or micro turbines for its central offices. As a result, in 2007 alone, Verizon’s energy conservation efforts eliminated an estimated 76,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

 

"Verizon, through its environmental initiatives, has excelled in every measurement criteria of this award, and is the obvious choice for it," said Roopa Shree, Frost & Sullivan senior industry analyst. "The Verizon leadership is keenly aware of the value of corporate social responsibility in today's increasingly green-focused business environment as well as the importance of being a good corporate citizen."

 

Verizon has been engaged in a number of environment-friendly initiatives to reduce energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. The company launched a commuter service program by which it provides alternate commuting methods to its employees who work at key sites. For this effort, Verizon was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as one of the "best workplaces for commuters." 

 

To serve large-businesses and government customers with energy saving solutions, Verizon has launched a number of services such as global IP-based networks to facilitate e-commerce, mobility solutions to provide teleworkers, and conferencing and collaboration services to enable virtual meetings and distance learning.

 

Verizon is a founding member of the U.S. eTree initiative. By participating in this program, Verizon contributes money to American Forests, for each shareholder who signs up for the company. More than 2,500 trees have been planted thus far on behalf of Verizon shareholders.

 

To save resources, Verizon communicates with its customers and shareholders electronically. More than 7 million Verizon bills were viewed and paid online in 2007, saving 387 tons of paper. Verizon has recycled more than 18,000 tons of paper and cardboard in 2007.

 

The company collects used mobile phones for recycling or reuse. More than 5 million cell phones have been recycled or refurbished, and more than 200 tons of electronics waste and batteries have been kept out of landfills since 2001, Verizon said.

 

Kathryn Brown, Verizon senior vice president of public policy development and corporate social responsibility, said, "This recognition by Frost & Sullivan reinforces our commitment to run our business in an environmentally friendly way while helping our customers meet their goals to go green."

 

"Whether it is opting for electronic billing or trading business travel for a video conference, we can help customers protect the environment and balance life and work. Conservation is not only smart business -- it is everybody's business," Brown added.