Sustainability
UScellular is on a journey to address our environmental impact throughout our company. From operations to supply chain, we are implementing sustainable practices. We’re providing our associates with a healthy work environment and engaging in traditional and innovative partnerships to build a culture of sustainability to serve our communities.
Recycling Technology
Our company continuously evolves with new technologies. When we introduce innovations like 5G, we prioritize retiring old solutions with sustainability in mind. In 2023, we sunset our CDMA service, resulting in a reduction in energy consumption and carbon footprint.
Closing 7,000 CDMA cell sites within a year saved an estimated $7.5 million and reduced carbon emissions by over 21,000 metric tons. Additionally, UScellular properly disposes of unused equipment following state, federal and local regulations.
Trade-in Program
Customers can trade in their old devices for a monthly discount on a new phone or receive a credit of up to $650 on their account. In 2023, we recycled/repurposed 242,477 devices and diverted 109,110 pounds.
Managing Energy
One way our company addresses its environmental impact is through UScellular’s Environmental Management System (EMS). EMS reduces our carbon footprint by minimizing utility usage after normal business hours or when stores are closed for holidays.
Advanced wireless technologies have emerged that can provide high-speed connections to homes and businesses quickly and affordably. Our associates are trained on various EMS platforms to minimize utility consumption while maximizing operations. Some of these trainings include: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) safety awareness training, fall protection, safety and health programs, health hazard standards training and safety trainings.
Additionally, we installed solar panels to power the main break room of our Knoxville Customer Care Center where we publicly share power and energy data, environmental benefits and weather information for the site. Since installing this technology in 2023, we have saved 99,000 pounds in carbon emissions–the equivalent of 749 trees planted.
In 2023 We:
