"We are in the midst of a new 'green' era. U.S. consumers and the members of this legislative body are sending a 'call to action' to corporations to act in the best interests of our people and our planet. Sprint is proud to embrace this opportunity as we make environmental responsibility a cornerstone of our company.

"Today I am proud to announce that Sprint is the first U.S. wireless carrier to establish a set of green design criteria for consumer devices. Moving forward, every handset vendor who manufactures handsets to operate on Sprint's networks must produce handsets that meet or exceed Sprint's new green design criteria and specifications.

"Working in partnership with our handset manufacturers, Sprint has developed an industry-first environmental 'scorecard' to bolster progress toward Sprint's green design specifications. The criteria in the "scorecard" better enable Sprint and our vendors to gauge the degree to which each handset manufactured complies with our environmental standards.

"Sprint has been at the forefront of recycling efforts in the wireless industry. In 2008, we made a public commitment to achieve a wireless reuse and recycling rate of 90 percent as compared to our device sales. Our current wireless rate at the end of 2009 was just over 40 percent, well ahead of the industry average.

"Today we are announcing the launch of a new, vastly expanded wireless handset buyback program that offers a financial incentive, in the form of an instant account credit to current and new Sprint customers who can turn in up to three eligible wireless devices. Sprint's new, expanded Buyback program can accept all eligible wireless devices, regardless of manufacturer or carrier.

"Sprint is committed, for the long-haul, to 'green' our business operations, design more eco-friendly handsets, increase industry wireless recycling rates, and remain a leader in our industry."