Verizon and the Environment
Recycling and Waste Reduction
Verizon has a comprehensive waste-reduction and recycling program that focuses on minimizing waste, using quality products made with recycled material, and recycling marketable materials. Here are examples of ways Verizon reduces waste and recycles:
- Recycled-content purchasing -- In 2005, Verizon spent more than $83 million on more than 177,000 tons of recycled-content products. This included office paper with an average recycled content of over 26 percent; business cards and billing forms with 10 percent post-consumer content; and remanufactured toner cartridges.
- Telecommunications equipment -- Defective equipment is repaired and reused. Equipment no longer used on Verizon's network is sold, or passed on to processors to use as raw materials in manufacturing new products.
- Wireless phones -- Verizon Wireless collects used cellular phones to resell, refurbish or recycle under its HopeLine® Program. This program supports victims of domestic violence through grants and education. Through HopeLine's recycling efforts, more than 2.5 million cell phones have been recycled or refurbished and more than 200 tons of electronics waste and batteries have been kept out of landfills.
- Wireless Phone Battery Recycling -- Verizon Wireless' retail stores are also participating in the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) Charge Up to Recycle! Program. To participate, customers can drop their used rechargeable batteries at any of our retail locations nationwide. Between the HopeLine and Charge Up to Recycle programs, Verizon Wireless recycled 77,855 pounds of batteries in 2004 and 146,344 more pounds in 2005.
- Paper-free billing services -- Phone bills can now be viewed and paid online for convenience while also saving paper and reducing waste. To date, customers have paid nearly 100 million bills online. To register for this service, go to:
- Reports -- Verizon's 2005 Annual Report is printed on recycled paper and includes environmental messaging. Verizon's Corporate Responsibility Report is also printed on recycled paper as well as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified paper.
