AT&T; to Receive Keep America Beautiful, Inc. 2001 Vision for America Award

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TO BUSINESS, ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNOLOGY EDITORS:

AT&T; to Receive Keep America Beautiful, Inc. 2001 Vision for America Award

National Environmental Organization to Recognize AT&T;'s Integration Of

Economic, Environmental And Social Performance,

and Expansive Telework Commitment

STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, Jun. 14 -/E-Wire/-- Keep America Beautiful, Inc. (KAB) has announced that AT&T; (NYSE: T) will be the 2001 recipient of its annual Vision for America Award. KAB is recognizing AT&T;'s achievements in the newly emerging field of industrial ecology, creating environmentally efficient and responsible workplaces, and embracing a telework program that produces a myriad of social and environmental benefits to not only the company, but to society at large.

Accepting for AT&T; at a black-tie award dinner in October will be AT&T; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer C. Michael Armstrong. "AT&T;'s policies are not just of words but of forward-thinking action," said KAB President G. Raymond Empson. "They have taken a new look at the way companies must conduct business, taking into consideration environmental and social impact beyond their own walls. As a national and world leader they are truly deserving of this honor."

The company has supported a new intellectual and policy venture that marries industry and the environment: the International Society of Industrial Ecology. The newly emerging field of industrial ecology applies ecological concepts to the organization and operation of industry, creating more efficient processes. Dr. Brad Allenby, AT&T; Environment, Health and Safety vice president, is a member of the Society's steering committee. Additionally, the AT&T; Foundation awards six AT&T; Industrial Ecology Faculty Fellowships annually to academic researchers at colleges and universities.

As one of the world's largest companies, AT&T; is setting precedent for creating the most economical and environmentally sound workplaces through its telework program. AT&T; employees who telecommute from home have avoided driving 110 million miles and consuming 5.1 million gallons of gasoline. They have thus spared the environment, and citizens, of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions including almost 50,000 tons of carbon dioxide.

Additionally, teleworkers have proven to be a smart economic boon to AT&T.; They save the company about $100 million a year due to increased productivity, and about $25 million a year due to reduced office-space needs. AT&T; teleworkers also have reported an increase in their loyalty and job satisfaction.

Society at large benefits beyond the absence of additional pollution too, in that traditional commuters face less traffic congestion on streets and highways.

"AT&T;'s teleworking commitment is a major environmental achievement not only for the company, but for society as a whole," said Empson. "This innovation creates a ripple effect of environmental and health benefits for all communities in which the company does business."

AT&T;'s "triple bottom line" of economic, environmental and social performance also engaged over 100,000 employees with revamped employee communications on environment, health and safety (EH&S;) issues. In 1999, the company made the transition to a fully electronic EH&S; employee awareness and communications program, replacing a paper newsletter with an intranet website. This saved 1.4 million sheets of paper and reduced AT&T; costs by $100,000 a year. In addition, the company delivers the AT&T; EH&S; Report (http://www.att.com/ehs) electronically -- which saves paper and makes information available to the public on a monthly cycle, instead of annually. There are similar efforts to avoid the unnecessary use of paper throughout AT&T.;

Since 1986, Keep America Beautiful's Vision for America Award has been presented annually to distinguished leaders of honored corporations whose personal and corporate commitment have significantly enhanced civic, environmental and social stewardship throughout the United States.

Keep America Beautiful, Inc., is a nonprofit organization whose network of more than 500 local, statewide and international programs educates individuals about litter prevention and ways to reduce, reuse, recycle and properly manage waste materials. Through partnerships and strategic alliances with citizens, businesses and government, KAB's programs motivate millions of volunteers annually to cleanup, beautify and improve their neighborhoods and business districts, creating safer and more livable community environments.

MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT -- Click Here http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X97524558

Keep America Beautiful, Inc.

http://http://www.att.com/ehs

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