Verizon Wireless Billing Options Conserve Half-Billion Sheets of Paper; Company Reaffirms Commitment to Conservation and Recycling Programs

BEDMINSTER, NJ — On the eve of Earth Day, 2004, Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless service provider, announced that the company's consolidated and online billing options will reduce the amount of paper used for customer bills by more than 550 million sheets per year, preserving more than 7,500 trees annually.

In addition, consolidated and online billing saves more than 3.6 million kilowatt hours of electricity and more than 165,000 pounds of ink each year.

"Verizon Wireless sees a significant environmental benefit through consolidated and online billing and we are enthusiastic to do our part in conservation by eliminating waste and recycling wireless equipment," said Denny Strigl, president and CEO of Verizon Wireless. "We are committed to increasing customer awareness of options for reduced or paperless billing and our successful HopeLine^SM phone recycling program."

Verizon Wireless' HopeLine program, one of the industry's longest recycling efforts, has collected more than 2 million phones to date — diverting approximately 400 tons of material from landfills.

Consolidated Billing Reduces Paper Waste

Verizon Wireless has rolled out consolidated billing across the country, using about 40 percent less paper to produce customers' monthly billing statements. Customers are still able to view itemized charges to their bills by logging onto My Account on the Verizon Wireless Web site, www.verizonwireless.com.  

Verizon Wireless customers also have the option to completely eliminate paper bills by going to the Web. By registering for My Account at www.verizonwireless.com, customers can elect to view and pay bills online. Once the monthly statement is available, customers receive an email notice that their bill is available for viewing online. Customers may also choose to have their wireless bill paid automatically with Auto Bill Pay, which automatically debits their bank accounts, credit or debit card.

HopeLine Program Turns Previoiusly Owned Phones Into Lifelines

The company has a long-standing commitment to recycling with its award-winning HopeLine program, which collects wireless phones from any carrier and recycles or refurbishes them with all proceeds benefiting domestic violence victims. Donations are accepted in any of Verizon Wireless' 1,200 Communications Stores or can be mailed to:

Verizon Wireless HopeLine
c/o ReCellular Inc.
2555 Bishop Circle W.
Dexter, MI 48130

For additional information including how to donate, visit the HopeLine Web site at www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.  

Spent Rechargeable Batteries Collected at Stores

Customers who come across old rechargeable wireless phone batteries around the house can drop off the batteries at their local Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, as part of the company's support of the Charge Up to Recycle! program. The recycling program collects spent batteries and reclaims usable material such as nickel and cadmium — the recovered nickel and iron are used in the production of stainless steel, while cadmium is used to make new portable rechargeable batteries. For more information about the Charge Up to Recycle! program, visit www.rbrc.com. For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, please visit one of the more than 1,200 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, participating Circuit City and RadioShack locations or Verizon Wireless online at www.verizonwireless.com.  

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 37.5 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To receive broadcast-quality video footage of Verizon Wireless operations, log onto www.thenewsmarket.com/verizonwireless.  

About HopeLine
Verizon Wireless encourages customers who are upgrading their wireless phone to participate in its exclusive HopeLine phone recycling program. The national HopeLine program distributes previously owned wireless phones to victims of domestic violence, supports non-profit domestic violence advocacy groups and provides an environmentally safe method of recycling phones. Donations are accepted at all 1,200-plus Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country. For additional information, customers can also visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.  

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