OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), November 15, 2011 – Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S, news, filings) was honored at yesterday’s 12th Annual Global Green Sustainable Design Awards in New York City with the “Product Design” award for its collaboration with Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.1, to design the eco-friendly2 mobile device, Samsung Replenish™.
“It is an honor to be recognized by Global Green for our efforts to produce more eco-friendly devices,” said Steve Elfman, president of network operations and wholesale, who accepted the award on behalf of Sprint. “The award is a testament to our relationship with Samsung and the hard work of many who believe that technology and innovation can drive sustainable business solutions.”
Introduced to the market in May 2011, Samsung Replenish is the fourth eco-friendly device to be added to Sprint’s growing portfolio of green products and is Sprint’s first environmentally preferable Android Smartphone. The Replenish is 82 percent recyclable, has an optional solar battery charger, and is the first device in the U.S. to meet UL Environment interim standards for more sustainable mobile phones. The Replenish is also enabled with Sprint’s Green ID pack which lets customers personalize their device instantly with environmental-focused apps and mobile content.
The award also acknowledged Sprint’s corporate sustainability efforts, including reducing its carbon footprint, using renewable energy and promoting electronic recycling. Through Sprint’s Buyback program, customers can get up to $350 for recycling their old device and ensure that their old or unused mobile device is handled responsibly and kept out of the waste stream. Since 2001, Sprint’s wireless reuse and recycling take-back programs have kept more than 26 million wireless devices out of landfills.
“Dan Hesse’s commitment and vision to building a more sustainable company; leading with innovative, sustainable solutions and improving operational efficiencies, has optimized our business, reduced costs and lessened our impact on the environment,” added Elfman.
“We are proud that the Samsung Replenish is being honored by Global Green for its eco-friendly design and features,” said Johnny Hart, general manager for Samsung Mobile. “Samsung and Sprint have a long standing relationship and dedication to delivering eco-friendly products that don’t compromise features and functionality.”
Sprint’s industry-leading role in corporate responsibility and environmental sustainability continues to receive recognition. For the third year in a row, Sprint ranked near the top on Newsweek’s 2011 Rankings of America’s Greenest Companies at No. 3, up from No. 6 in 2010. Sprint was also ranked highest within the wireless sector on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America.
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 51 million customers at the end of 1Q 2011 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. You can learn more about Sprint programs that protect the environment by visiting www.sprint.com/responsibility or following @SprintGreenNews on Twitter. Or you can visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.
About Global Green U.S.A.
The American arm of President Gorbachev’s Green Cross International was founded in 1994 and is a national leader in advocating for smart solutions to climate change that benefit humanity by saving energy, reducing CO2 emissions, improving health, creating green jobs, and securing a more sustainable future. For more than 15 years, Global Green has greened nearly $20 billion in new school and affordable housing construction; authored multiple state and national laws and policies on green building, climate change and energy-efficiency; and responded to environmental disasters from hurricanes, to chemical weapons dumping, to sea level rise and the melting of the poles. Global Green is the only national environmental group with headquarters in Southern California and has offices in New Orleans and Washington, DC.
About Samsung Telecommunications America
Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets, wireless infrastructure and other telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2010 consolidated sales of US$135.8 billion. Employing approximately 190,500 people in 206 offices across 68 countries, the company consists of nine independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Digital Imaging, Memory, System LSI and LCD. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, semiconductor chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.
1 Number one mobile phone provider in the U.S. claim for Samsung Mobile based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics, Q3 2011 U.S. Market Share Handset Shipments Reports.
2 The term “eco-friendly” refers to the product, packaging and recycling initiatives as described in this release and applicable product documentation, websites, and other referenced programs.
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Contact(s):
Sprint
Marci VerBrugge-Rhind, 913-794-6319
marci.j.verbrugge@sprint.com
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