Protecting the Environment

Carbon Intensity
(metric tons of CO2 emitted per million dollars of revenue)

In 2005, the US Average was 653, Verizon was 82.0. In 2006 the US Average was 625, Verizon was 81.4. In 2007, the US Average was 613, Verizon was 80.7.

Cell Phone
Battery
Recycling
(in tons)

73.2 tons in 2005, 29 tons in 2006, 35.8 tons in 2007

Paper and
Cardboard
Recycling
(in thousands of tons)

35,400 tons in 2005, 24,100 tons in 2006, 18,800 tons in 2007. The decrease from 2005 is a result of the spin off of our directory publishing business.

Verizon is a global business with one of the largest private vehicle fleets in the U.S., and millions of square feet of real estate. That's why we hold ourselves responsible for finding ways to reduce our environmental impact and be more efficient.

In 2007 we continued delivering on our principal environmental objectives: reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, increase recycling rates, deploy new, energy-saving technologies in our operations and make consumers and policymakers aware that broadband technology can significantly reduce energy consumption and conserve resources.

Energy Conservation

Verizon's energy conservation measures reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 76,000 metric tons in 2007.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

In 2007, Verizon was inducted into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WasteWise Hall of Fame, in recognition of our waste-prevention and recycling programs.
Through HopeLine, Verizon collects, refurbishes and reuses cell phones to provide free phone and service to domestic violence victims. Last year, we collected more than 1 million cell phones for the first time, up nearly 17 percent from 2006.

Climate Change Initiatives

Verizon is a member of the Global eSustainability Initiative's (GeSI) Climate Change Working Group.
Verizon also participates in the Carbon Disclosure Project (www.cdproject.net), which now has the largest registry of corporate greenhouse-gas emissions data.

HopeLine

Verizon Wireless HopeLine collects, refurbishes and re-uses used cell phones to provide free wireless phones and service to victims of domestic violence.

	Phones Collected	Phones Refurbished	Phones Recycled	Phones Donated to Shelters	Cash Grants from HopeLine Funds
2004	722,070	n/a	139,042	11,573	$790,026
2005	852,460	n/a	267,207	9,600	$748,647
2006	909,396	669,396	242,669	16,156	$1,271,697
2007	1,070,000	817,408	251,465	20,080	$1,720,000

More Information

GeSI Smart 2020 report
Our environmental programs
Our Stories:
Wetlands restoration project
Progress Update:
Protecting the Environment

Broadband Is Green

A Global e-Sustainability Initiative report shows that a 15% reduction in global emissions could be acheived by 2020 through the broad use of information communication technology.

Energy-Efficient Network

This solar powered cell site in California's remote desert is one of eight in the western United States, some requiring access by helicopter. Each has solar-charged battery backup power for cloudy days.

What We'll Do Next

Promote research on how broadband can help minimize environmental impact.
Educate others on the environmental benefits of broadband and information communications technology.
Create an organization to monitor a Verizon-wide energy conservation/greenhouse gas emission strategy.
Deploy additional hybrid vehicles in Verizon's fleet.
Further reduce CO2 emissions and increase recycling rates.