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CTIA-The Wireless Association® and our member companies recognize that we have a responsibility to our environment for the health of the planet and future generations. As part of our commitment to sustainability, the wireless industry has been a leader in developing environmentally-friendly products and services, implementing energy-conscious measures in our network operations and business practices and educating consumers about cellphone and accessory recycling. By changing our own practices and providing innovative solutions and applications for other industries, we are making major contributions to creating a low-carbon economy.

To help educate consumers and policymakers about the wireless industry’s initiatives and programs, CTIA launched “go wireless, go green” website ( www.gowirelessgogreen.com) on Earth Day 2011. The site provides tips on how to be more environmentally responsible, including a step-by-step guide on how to safely and securely recycle devices and accessories, programs our members have implemented to make their operations more sustainable and how wireless technology provides eco-friendly value for other industries.

Many of CTIA's members have developed or supported numerous programs that promote the recycling of cellphones and other wireless devices. Whether it's directly from a carrier, manufacturer or a third party organization, consumers have a variety of options to recycle their "old" devices and accessories, including drop-off or mail back programs, websites and charity drives. If you're not sure where to recycle your wireless devices, all major carriers and many others will accept any device or accessory at their stores, regardless of which carrier provided your service.

Wireless companies are enhancing and implementing eco-friendly business practices.

• CTIA and our members are committed to sustainable operations to reduce our environmental impact. By deploying utility and water efficient wireless products and services such as machine-to-machine (M2M) communication technologies (e.g. smart grid meters), some of our members have saved up to 70 percent in their energy costs and have significantly reduced their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. By increasing the number of service and passenger alternative-fuel vehicles, some members have saved tons of CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. In addition, many wireless companies have enlisted their employees’ assistance to implement waste reduction and recycling programs; encourage commuter/telework programs; and conduct virtual meetings.

Efficiencies may be the single greatest contribution of wireless technology helping other industries be environmentally efficient.

• By wirelessly optimizing business processes such as work orders, customer forms and payments, millions are saved each year on paper and administrative costs. Wireless is used to manage vehicle fleets in real-time, ranging from municipal garbage trucks to school buses, allowing dispatchers to efficiently route the vehicles and save significant amounts of time and millions of gallons of fuel while substantially reducing carbon emissions. Wireless technology also helps cities and towns around the world collect data on their infrastructure and transportation systems, such as bridges, roads, trains and metro/subways. Florida International University found the Broward County traffic-monitoring system that cost almost $10 million to install actually provided more than $142 million in benefits for the community since it reduced travel time, fuel consumption, carbon emissions and secondary accidents.

Click here to download the Wireless Industry Sustainability overview

Last updated August 2011