CSX Turns Earth Day into Earth Week with Celebrations and Action

Clean sweeps, community activism, electronics recycling and sustainability were all part of "Celebrating Earth Day at CSX," held April 15–April 24 system wide.

This year's observance of the worldwide eco awareness day started with a celebration fair in Jacksonville where CSX volunteers shared information on the railroad's environmental quality policies with approximately 6,000 members of the community. Other initiatives across the system included 'clean sweeps' and special events in Waycross, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Selkirk and Nashville; the CSX Environmental Awards ceremony for environmentally responsible customers; and a series of "Lunch & Learns" in Jacksonville featuring a native gardener, St. Johns River Keeper, and the City of Jacksonville's sustainability spokesperson.

There was even a Recycling Roundup for electronic equipment at several locations in Jacksonville, where employees could turn in their computers/CPUs, monitors, printers, keyboards, computer accessories, televisions, VCRs, stereos, cell phones, telephones, fax machines, answering machines and calculators.

"This was an impressive demonstration of our employees' commitment to maintain a clean, environmentally friendly and safe railroad," said Gabe Treesh, Manager, Public Safety and Environment. "All departments came together to diligently plan for and make each event their own. It was a great opportunity for everyone to represent their work location, division, region and company in a celebration that reflects CSX's overall commitment to the environment."

Capping off the week was a City Year service day in Worcester, Massachusetts, with volunteer participants from CSX and the community. The event kicked-off the Worcester Tree Initiative, aimed at re-establishing and re-growing Worcester's urban forests, which have been devastated by the Asian Longhorned Beetle over the past 10 years. When the event was done, CSX had contributed and planted 100 trees in the town, of varieties that are not susceptible to further harm from the beetles.