Wireless industry's commitment to being "green" is also the focus of November's Wonders of Wireless (WOW)                                                                                                                    

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of the wireless industry's continued commitment to being "green," CTIA-The Wireless Association® announced today its Green Working Group (GWG) and its sustainability benchmarks. Included in the GWG's initiatives are five areas on postpaid, or contract, handset packaging and a three part plan for more recycling of "old" devices and accessories. While CTIA's GWG has taken important steps to be "green," it's vital that wireless users are actively engaged by returning their "old" devices and accessories. By working together, we can protect and preserve our environment for future generations. For more information on the wireless industry's sustainability efforts, visit gowirelessgogreen.org.

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The GWG is comprised of the following companies: Alcatel-Lucent; Alltel; Apple; Asurion; AT&T, Brightpoint, Inc; Brightstar Corp; Cellular One; Ericsson, Inc.; HTC America, Inc.; Motorola Mobility, LLC; Nex-Tech Wireless; Nokia, Inc.; nTELOS Wireless; Personal Communications Devices, LLC (PCD); Qualcomm Incorporated; Research in Motion; Samsung Telecommunications America, L.P.; Smith Micro Software, Inc; SouthernLINC Wireless; Sprint Nextel Corporation; Syniverse; T-Mobile USA; TracFone; U.S. Cellular; and Verizon Wireless.

The CTIA Green Working Group has developed three components to encourage more recycling of "old" devices and accessories:

1. Develop a take-back program for devices and accessories and to educate consumers about these programs.
2. Use third party recyclers that comply with applicable federal and state electronic recycling laws.
3. Develop a common approach for measuring handset collection rates with a goal of increasing the collection of devices and electronic accessories either directly or indirectly by 20 percent by 2015.

Even though the new generations of wireless devices currently weigh approximately 79g, which is 42 percent less than earlier models, CTIA's Green Working Group has developed five benchmarks on postpaid, or contract, handset packaging.

1. The participating wireless companies will eliminate plastic inserts and trays from postpaid wireless device packaging by the end of 2013.
2. All U.S. postpaid wireless packaging will be labeled with internationally recognized symbols to facilitate recycling of products, accessory boxes and contents by December 31, 2013.
3. The postpaid packaging elements will use less than 10 percent volatile organic compounds, including labels by the end of 2013.
4. Water-based adhesives or self-sealing tab locking boxes will be used by June 2014.
5. All postpaid packaging material, including the user guides, will be printed with non-petroleum based inks by the end of 2014.

The following companies are participating in the packaging benchmarks: Asurion; AT&T; Brightpoint, Inc; Brightstar Corp; HTC America, Inc.; Motorola Mobility, LLC; Nokia, Inc.; Samsung Telecommunications America, L.P.; Sprint Nextel Corporation; T-Mobile USA; U.S. Cellular; and Verizon Wireless. Additional companies have indicated they will participate.

In addition, CTIA's November edition of the "Wonder of Wireless" (WOW) webcast and blog (http://blog.ctia.org) features information on the GWG and its sustainability initiatives. 

This month's WOW offers the following:

• Policy Point - CTIA's Green Working Group created a set of industry benchmarks, including an initiative to make postpaid, or contract, handset packaging more sustainable. This means the participating wireless companies will eliminate plastics and trays from postpaid wireless device packaging, label all packaging with internationally recognized symbols to facilitate recycling and use less volatile organic compounds. For more information on the wireless industry's sustainability efforts, visit gowirelessgogreen.com.
• Wireless at Work - Green Power Management Solutions' Mike Lee discusses the Remote Monitoring and Communication Platform, which utilizes both solar panels and a wind generator to power wireless telecommunications. Deployed during emergency situations, these wireless telecommunications units use sustainable energy to keep relief workers and affected citizens connected.  
• Insider Interview - CTIA's Vice President of External and State Affairs Jamie Hastings talks about its Green Working Group, which establishes the wireless industry's sustainability initiatives. Besides the postpaid, or contract, handset packaging, the Green Working Group is committed to continued consumer education. As CTIA and its member companies have noted, everyone, including consumers, play an important role in protecting and preserving our environment for the future.
• Wireless Lifesaver - One day, Allison Motto's husband suddenly went into cardiac arrest. Using her cellphone, Allison called 911 and with instructions from the dispatcher, timed 100 chest compressions to keep her husband's blood pumping until the emergency personnel arrived. Thanks to Allison's quick actions and cellphone, she saved her husband's life and prevented brain damage.

CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry's leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.

Twitter: @ctia | Blog: http://ctia.it/Na6erv | Facebook: http://ctia.it/LCm4Nn | LinkedIn Group: http://ctia.it/Na6cA2

SOURCE CTIA-The Wireless Association