When I think of a major broadcast network like CBS Corporation, sustainability is not the first thing that comes to mind. I typically think of excessive energy usage, both in creating the product CBS brings to the public and for the public to experience this product. Reading through CBS’ 2010 Green Report, my eyes were opened to the corporation’s commitment to being more sustainable. A standout fact: “Today CBS sends less waste to landfills across the country than at any time in our company’s 82-year history.” Here are some highlights from the report:

• CBS is working to maximize energy efficiency in its offices, studios, warehouses and production centers. Energy-efficiency initiatives have saved more than 3.5 million kWh of electricity. This cuts the CBS carbon footprint by more than 5 million pounds of CO₂.
• At the CBS Corporate Headquarters in New York, the Energy Curtailment Program has succeeded in cutting overall energy use and costs by more than 10%, and the program met the Energy Star Challenge for 2009. Lighting retrofitting is saving nearly 600,000 kWh annually.
• Conserving water has also become a focus for the company. From reduced-flow devices in restrooms, to the use of water-saving technologies and practices for landscaping, water-efficiency measures have led to serious savings.
• CBS Outdoor is converting to sustainable materials for billboard ads. In 2009, 431,180 pounds of polyethylene vinyl and 1,503,040 pounds of PVC were recycled or reused.
• CBS uses energy-efficient desktops, laptops, monitors and servers, and it utilizes Dell’s recycling program to ensure their retired systems are responsibly recycled.

Some examples of the ways CBS delivers messaging on sustainability to its audiences include:

• Showtime’s “Earth Day” webisode, educating users on recycling, water conservation, landfills and green packaging; and Smithsonian Channel’s (a joint venture between Showtime and the Smithsonian Institute) programs on global warming, health epidemics, deforestation, conservationism and endangered species.
• The regularly scheduled green news and green tips segments broadcast on individual CBS Radio stations across the country and the support those stations give to community environmental events and organizations.
• Simon & Schuster, a division of CBS Corporation, published and promoted the landmark sustainability book, The Story of Stuff, based on the worldwide Internet success; and the Little Green Books line from Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing aims for parents and children to learn more about the environment together.

This is just a tiny look at what CBS Corporation is doing to take responsibility for its impact on the environment. For more information, visit cbscorporation.com.