Cox Enterprises Announces New Eco-Friendly Paper Standards as Part of Supplier Sustainability Program

ATLANTA, Sept. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Enterprises announced today new national paper standards for its business locations. Cox's operations across the country are now using FSC-certified copy paper that is made from 30 percent postconsumer content, making it an eco-friendly solution for everyday printing and copying.

By opting for this paper, Cox is projected to annually save the equivalent of 5,040 trees and nearly 2.5 million gallons of water, as well as eliminate nearly 80 tons of waste. Cox was a leader in printing its newspapers on recycled newsprint and has a history of practicing conservation. The paper is being provided by Staples and is a result of Cox's Supplier Sustainability Program.

By extending its Cox Conserves principles to the supply chain, Cox is reinforcing its environmental commitment and encouraging its partners to incorporate sustainability into their business practices.

"Cox's Supplier Sustainability Program encourages eco-friendly practices with and among our vendor partners," said Lacey Lewis, Cox Enterprises' senior vice president of finance. "Cox has aggressive sustainability goals around waste, carbon and water. We know that we can't meet our goals alone. We need to partner with our vendors and employees. We are educating our employees to print only when necessary, and the new paper standard helps us be even more conservation minded."

Cox's Supplier Sustainability Program launched in 2013 with 50 vendors and doubled in size this year to include 100, representing billions of dollars in products and services.

"We were thrilled when Cox reached out to us about its Supplier Sustainability Program," said Mark Buckley, Staples vice president of environmental affairs. "It created an open dialog where we shared best practices across our organizations, which resulted in their new eco-friendly paper standard. Our companies have a common desire to be sustainable, and we know that working together helps make that possible."

As part of the program, Cox hosts a Cox Conserves Sustainable Supply Chain Summit where vendors present best practices on environmental programs and products, as well as share how they are working with Cox to create sustainable solutions around packaging, waste management and technology.

Cox announced expanded goals this year to send zero waste to landfill in the next 7-10 years and become carbon and water neutral in the next 25-30 years.

About Cox Enterprises:
Cox Enterprises is a leading communications, media and automotive services company. With revenues of nearly $16 billion and approximately 50,000 employees, the company's major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications (cable television distribution, high-speed Internet access, telephone, commercial telecommunications and advertising solutions); Cox Media Group (television and radio stations, digital media, newspapers and advertising sales rep firms); and Cox Automotive (automotive-related auctions, financial services, media and software solutions). The company's major national brands include AutoTrader.com, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim, Savings.com and Valpak.

Social Media: Twitter – twitter.com/CoxEnterprises; Facebook - facebook.com/CoxEnterprises

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SOURCE Cox Enterprises

For further information: Elizabeth Olmstead; elizabeth.olmstead@coxinc.com; 678-645-0762