Cox Recycles 500 Tons of Waste

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Cox Enterprises succeeded in recycling 500 tons of waste last year, according to a company press release.

In 2009, Cox announced a partnership with Redemtech, which was aimed at helping the company responsibly dispose of electronic waste (e-waste). The partnership has resulted in Cox diverting an estimated 1.8 million pounds of e-waste from landfills each year, according to the company. According to U.S. EPA Electronics Environmental Benefits Calculator computations, the program will conserve enough energy to power 3,500 households a year and achieve greenhouse gas reductions equivalent to removing nearly 2,500 passenger cars from the highways annually.

Recovered electronics with reusable value are redeployed within the organization to reduce new procurement. Reusable items may also be refurbished, resold or donated to charity, ensuring a productive secondary life and preventing them from entering the waste stream. Assets with no reusable value are de-manufactured so that any usable components can be salvaged. The remaining materials are then recycled into raw materials for manufacturing new products.

The company has also secured foodservice packaging that is produced entirely from sustainable, renewable plant sources. Hot plates and bowls are made from sugar, and cups and salad plates are made from corn — both are biodegradable within 60 days.

Cox is currently implementing plans to reduce its companywide carbon footprint 20 percent by 2017, which is expected to save 172,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. It also launched CoxConserves.com, a website detailing the company’s environmental initiatives and offering environmental tips.

Environment + Energy Leader