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Success Stories – Very Large Organizations

Disclaimer

The success stories provided on this website are for information purposes only and do not constitute or imply an endorsement or recommendation by EPA or the United States Government of any specific commercial products, processes, or services mentioned therein.

The Walt Disney Company – Very Large Business Partner of the Year Award

The Walt Disney Company’s successful overall waste reduction achievements can be attributed, in part, to the adoption of a comprehensive worldwide Green Standard and the dedicated efforts of environmental teams. The company also hired a sustainable sourcing specialist, established a Green Sourcing Team, and implemented an internal online tool for collecting, storing, and analyzing waste and recycling data. In 2008, the Walt Disney Company diverted nearly 91,000 tons of waste from the landfill, an increase of more than 29 percent over the previous year. Disney continues to make food composting a priority; in 2008, the company recovered more than 111 tons of organics from its Disney Burbank, CA studio and nearby properties. Additionally, $88,000 in proceeds from the sale of reusable tote bags was donated to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, which provides grants to international animal conservation projects.

Verizon Communications, Inc.

As one of the nation–s leading communications companies, Verizon Communications Inc. (including Verizon Business, Verizon Telecom and Verizon Wireless) continually strives to reach its waste prevention, recycling and procurement program goals to reduce its environmental footprint. Verizon has won nine WasteWise awards since it became a charter partner in 1994.

With the support of its environmental operations, Verizon has implemented several non-hazardous waste prevention, recycling and green purchasing efforts, such as the Verizon Wireless HopeLine (HopeLine), which was started in 2001.

In 2006, Verizon Wireless collected, refurbished and resold a total of 660,000 used cell phones. Selling the refurbished phones enabled HopeLine to donate $1.3 million to nearly 300 local domestic violence prevention and awareness organizations in 2006.

Verizon also developed its Investment Recovery organization to identify material that can no longer be used for its intended purpose, and encourages its customers to reduce the use of paper by providing an online bill service. Due to these successful programs, Verizon has earned over $10,000,000 in waste prevention and over $21,000,000 in total recycling revenue. The communications company has also avoided approximately $16,000,000 in purchasing costs due to its waste prevention efforts.

General Motors Corporation

General Motors Corporation (GM) incorporates waste reduction into every aspect of automobile production, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the company uses higher strength steel grades to reduce automobile mass and improve fuel economy. In 2002, GM US employees prevented more than 3,000 tons of waste and recycled more than 2 million tons of materials, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 4.3 million metric tons of carbon equivalent.

 


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