Through its Cox Conserves sustainability program, Cox Enterprises has a goal to send zero waste to landfill by 2024. The company was recently recognized by the Metro Atlanta Chamber and the Georgia Recycling Coalition for its waste management initiative at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s printing facility.

The AJC’s printing plant became the nation’s first newspaper press to receive the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council’s Gold level certification. The facility, which prints the AJC and other newspapers for local distribution, was awarded the certification for diverting nearly 99 percent of its waste — more than 5,000 tons annually — from landfills or incineration. The reductions come through recycling, reusing, composting or reducing usage of materials.

Cox and the AJC received the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s E3 award in the Clean Tech Innovation category. The awards recognized companies, organizations and individuals for outstanding achievement in advancing clean tech and best-in-class sustainability practices in the marketplace. 

“The E3 Awards are our opportunity to shine a spotlight on the companies, organizations and individuals who are working to enhance a clean and sustainable environment, which inevitably leads to business growth. MAC has an interest in promoting these individual efforts because they are directly impacting our region’s quality of life, economic development and livability.” says Dave Williams, vice president of infrastructure and government affairs at the Metro Atlanta Chamber.

The Georgia Recycling Coalition’s Spirit of Green Awards annually recognize excellence in recycling and waste reduction in Georgia.  Cox Enterprises won in the Outstanding Corporate Leader category, which celebrates businesses that have implemented exemplary waste reduction and recycling programs for their industry.