Verizon Wireless' HopeLine Program Supports Earth Day Recycling Efforts And Local Domestic Violence Victims In New York

ROCHESTER, NY — This Earth Day, April 22, Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless service provider, reminds customers of the ways they can support the company's commitment to helping the environment and make a positive difference in their communities. Verizon Wireless strongly encourages its customers to contribute to the protection of the earth by donating their old wireless phones to the company's HopeLine® program and signing up for paperless billing. Through support and participation, customers can help reduce unnecessary waste while assisting others in their community at the same time.

"Respect is an important part of our company credo, including respect for the environment," said John Palmer, president of Verizon Wireless' Upstate New York Region. "At Verizon Wireless, we understand the importance of being a good corporate citizen and have made it a priority to offer customers environmentally friendly alternatives to allow them to recycle and conserve resources."

Verizon Wireless recognizes the importance of recycling no-longer-used wireless devices and accessories to help ensure a cleaner environment for future generations. To support this effort, the company encourages consumers to donate their no-longer-used wireless phones and equipment to HopeLine. Since 2001, Verizon Wireless' national HopeLine phone re-use and recycling program has collected nearly two million wireless phones donated by Verizon Wireless customers. These efforts have helped to keep over 200 tons of harmful electronics waste out of our landfills and have benefited thousands of domestic violence victims.

Marking its 10th year in 2005, the HopeLine program continues to stand out as the leading wireless phone recycling program in the industry. Each year as consumers continue to upgrade to new wireless phones, millions of no-longer-used phones are "retired." HopeLine provides an environmentally safe solution for disposing of these phones. Once old phones and accessories from any wireless service provider are collected at local Verizon Wireless Communications stores across the country, they are refurbished or recycled in an environmentally safe way. As part of the HopeLine program, refurbished phones are donated to victims of domestic violence and non-profit advocacy agencies as essential communication tools.

In 2004 alone, HopeLine generated:

• 750,000 phones donated by customers of all wireless providers;
• 140,000 phones recycled in an environmentally safe way;
• 11,000 phones donated to shelters/victims

Donating and recycling no-longer-used wireless phones is just one way Verizon Wireless helps protect the environment. The company also encourages its customers to conserve natural resources by taking advantage of Verizon Wireless' My Account. My Account provides a single source for online customer service and account information and is ideal for environmentally conscious customers who prefer to access their account online.

By logging on to www.verizonwireless.com/myaccount and registering for My Account, Verizon Wireless customers also have the option to completely eliminate paper bills by going to the Web. Once the monthly statement is available, customers receive an email notice that their bill is available for viewing online. Customers may choose to have their wireless bill paid automatically with Auto Bill Pay, which automatically debits the account of their choice, including checking, credit or debit card. Verizon Wireless customers who elect to view and pay bills online through My Account 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.

Earth Day 2005 is the perfect time to start making a difference. Wireless phones and equipment can be donated to the HopeLine program at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store across the country. Wireless phones and equipment donations can also be sent to:

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

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 43.8 million voice and data 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 and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.  

About HopeLine
2005 marks the 10 year anniversary of the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program, which puts wireless products and services to work to combat domestic violence. Today, HopeLine collects wireless phones and accessories from any wireless carrier and refurbishes or recycles them with proceeds benefiting victims of domestic violence. The environmentally friendly HopeLine Program also provides victims with essential communication tools — wireless phones and wireless services, including voicemail and pre-paid wireless minutes. Donations are accepted at all 1, 900-plus Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country. For additional information, customers can visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.  

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