Submitted by: Submitted by bwilder44
Views: 10
Words: 1283
Pages: 6
Category: Business and Industry
Date Submitted: 02/28/2016 06:32 PM
Typically when you think of a company like Verizon Wireless, you tend to think of things like technology or fast internet, not necessarily sustainability. However, if you want to be a major player in big business today, you have to adopt sustainability practices. It is an unfortunate fact that we are burning through our natural resources at an alarming rate and if we do not do something to change our habits, then there will be nothing left for the generations to come. It is the responsibility of big companies to set the example for others to do what is necessary to reduce the carbon foot print that we leave behind. Verizon Wireless is one of the companies taking the necessary steps in reducing the negative impact that, we as humans are causing on the planet.
Verizon Wireless currently has a number of programs in effect that are taking the necessary steps in the right direction. Since 2001, Verizon has been collecting phones through a program called, HopeLine. Since then, they have collected over 10 million phones that were donated nationwide, were they refurbish and sell a majority of the phones, recycle the unusable phones, as well as donate a good amount of useable phones to victims of domestic violence. The proceeds that come from selling the refurbished phones are donated to domestic violence organizations; a total of $18.1 million has been donated since the beginning of the program (Verizon Wireless, 2013). Furthermore, a total of 151,000 phones have been donated to victims and survivors of domestic abuse. As a result of the program, over 22 million kilowatt hours of energy has been saved and over 2.1 million phones have been recycled. That is over 420 tons of electronic waste that was kept out of landfills.
Verizon is also responsible for building and operating energy-efficient retail stores. More than 100 of Verizon’s stores across the nation have been awarded the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design)...