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Environment
Caring for future generations
Minimizing our environmental impact in everything we do
Bell plays a leadership role in the communications industry by taking environmental protection into account in all aspects of its operations, including the deployment and maintenance of its networks and the efficient use of energy and resources in operations. For over 20 years, we have implemented and maintained numerous programs to reduce the environmental impact related to our operations
Using energy efficiently both helps the environment and supports our strategic imperative to achieve a competitive cost structure. In 2011, we introduced Bell Media and The Source into our environmental management system under the same guiding principles.
The communications services we offer customers and use ourselves, such as conferencing solutions, are effective substitutes for travel, while efficient data management, virtualisation and telematics also reduce energy use in a variety of ways.
Other Environmental Programs
We have implemented and maintained numerous additional programs to reduce the environmental impact related to our operations. Here are some examples:
• Water
• Visual appearance
• Biodiversity
• Environmental Assessment
• Petroleum storage tanks
• Ozone depleting substances
• Environmental incidents
• Environmental training
Working towards a low carbon future
Bell is constantly striving to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions while providing our customers with innovative solutions. Bell is engaged in many carbon initiatives, such as:
For more information and data on Bell’s energy consumption and emissions of specific gases is provided in our detailed 2011 GHG Emissions Report.
Data centres
The two latest additions to Bell’s network of data centres use innovative clean technology to provide customers with co-location, managed hosting and next-generation cloud computing services such as software-as-a-service and hosted unified communications.
- Markham, Ontario uses power from a local district energy utility, which produces emergency power and cold water on a massive, highly efficient scale, augmented by a solar array on the roof of the data centre. It also repurposes the cold water used to cool equipment in the centre by returning the now warm water to the community where it is used to help heat nearby schools and community centres.
- Buckingham, Québec is to be in the top 2% of data centres in North America for the most effective use of power.
Buildings
In 2011, Bell’s Montréal campus won the 2011 Building of the Year Award from the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Québec. Six other Bell buildings in Québec, also received BOMA BESt certifications for management practices that protect the environment
Communications technology
Bell uses its technologies to further reduce energy consumption, team travel and the use of material resources, all of which contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
Virtualization
Through virtualization, we decommissioned 664 servers, reducing capital requirements and saving approximately 2.8 million kWh per year – enough energy to heat 280 households for a year. That also amounted to a reduction of 159 tonnes of greenhouse gases.
Customer products
The Bell Blue Box program recovered 159,524 mobile phones in 2012 and for a total of more than
1,225,428 phones recovered since 2003. Bell will donate net proceeds from the program to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) as part of the national Bell Let’s Talk mental health initiative.
In 2011, we also collected the following for either reuse or recycling:
• 8.6 tonnes of batteries and accessories
• 510,300 modems (285 tonnes)
• 418,400 TV receivers (1,528 tonnes)
Quick Facts
Bell is the first telecom company in Canada to be ISO 14001 certified for its environmental management system and successful maintain certification- In 2011, Bell’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions totalled 220 kilotonnes of CO2 equivalent. This is an increase of 2% over 2010, but a global reduction of 31% from 2003. The increase in 2011 is mainly due to the rapid expansion of our network and increased demand for our services which required more electricity and fuel to run additional vehicles.
- We have equipped more than 22,000 team members to work away from the office either part or full time. This eliminates up to 20,000 tonnes of GHG emissions as an estimated 110 million kilometres is saved every year in commuting.We issued 22.6% of bills electronically in 2011. By reducing the use of paper, we saved approximately 33,000 trees and avoided the emission of about 4,100 tonnes of greenhouse gases. The balances of our bills were printed on paper that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
- We issued 22.6% of bills electronically in 2011. By reducing the use of paper, we saved approximately 33,000 trees and avoided the emission of about 4,100 tonnes of greenhouse gases. The balances of our bills were printed on paper that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
- Team members conducted more than 1.1 million teleconferences in 2011 and also substituted web and video conferences for travel. That reduced travel costs and eliminated the emission of an estimated 2,300 tonnes of greenhouse gases during the year.
- Bell was the first company to establish a cross-Canada collection program for reusing and recycling mobile phones. Bell recovered 186,823 mobile phones in 2011 for a total of 1,065,304 recovered since 2003.
- Bell collected 8,543 tonnes of material from network operations in 2011. From this amount, 7,778 tonnes (91.0%) either sold, refurbished, recycled or used as a fossil fuel substitute. This is a 0.9% percentage point increase over 2010.
Resource room
- Environmental policy (30 KB)
- Environmental management system (50 KB)