AT&T chooses plant-based plastic packaging for telecom accessories

AT&T plans to introduce new plastic in AT&T-branded accessory packaging, which is composed of up to 30 percent plant-based materials sourced from ethanol harvested from natural sugarcane. The sugarcane used is this plant plastic is a rapidly renewable agricultural crop and replaces nearly a third of the fossil fuels traditionally used in this accessory packaging with material made from plants.

Adoption of the new plastic is part of AT&T's broader overall commitment to minimize its environmental impact. In March of 2010 the company announced its plans to slim down their accessory packaging; in 2010 and 2011, the company eliminated the use of more than 500 tons of paper and plastic in that packaging.

Customers can expect to see the transition to the new packaging in stores and online starting Oct. 2, 2011. The plastic will be used in packaging for AT&T-branded wireless accessories*, which includes most device cases and power accessories.

"As a company we are committed to minimizing our own environmental impact, and we see the introduction of this plant-based plastic as an important step in the right direction," says Jeff Bradley, svp for devices, AT&T. "We are excited to be the first U.S. telecom company to use this plastic in our packaging and we hope other companies will join us in finding ways to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. We are actively working with our accessory suppliers to incorporate both less packaging and more sustainable plastic and paper."

Prior advancements in AT&T's efforts to reduce waste and minimize the overall environmental impact of accessory packaging include using soy and/or vegetable-based ink and recycled paperboard.

AT&T is committed to integrating sustainable business practices across its business and was recently added to Corporate Responsibility Magazine's 12th Annual 100 Best Corporate Citizens List. AT&T was also included in the 2010 Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (DJSI) and in Carbon Disclosure Project's (CDP) 2010 Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI.) Also visit www.att.com/csr to download the 2010 AT&T Sustainability Report and learn more about sustainability at AT&T.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

Source: AT&T Inc.

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