JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- CSX employees are joining together this month in celebration of Earth Day and CSX's longstanding commitments to sustainability. As part of that commitment, in addition to many Earth Day events throughout its network, this year CSX is bringing special attention to the importance of proper recycling of electronics.

"Sustainability is vital to CSX's long-term prosperity," said Carl Gerhardstein, assistant vice president of health, environment and sustainability. "It is embedded into our business model so we can grow sustainably while also preserving important resources in the communities where we live and work."

During April, CSX is setting up 16 sites for employees to recycle personal and work related electronic items and equipment, such as phones, computers and TVs.  Recycling electronics helps to prevent metals and electronic materials from impacting the environment and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and hazardous waste while conserving energy and natural resources.

The recycling effort is just one example of how CSX acts on its three core sustainability commitments: reduce the company's environmental footprint, support sustainable development throughout the network, and engage openly on sustainability issues.

In support of these pillars, CSX is celebrating Earth Day in a number of ways across its 23-state network:  

• CSX sponsored the Anacostia Watershed Society Earth Day Cleanup in Washington D.C. and Maryland, where over 2,000 volunteers cleaned up 24 locations along the shores of the Anacostia River and tributaries in Prince George's and Montgomery Counties.

• Employees are participating in cleanup events in nearly half the states in CSX's network including: Atlanta, Ga.; Avon, Ind.; Baltimore, Md.; Barboursville, W.Va.; Cincinnati, Ohio.; Chambersburg, Pa.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Nashville, Tenn.; Richmond, Va.; Riverdale, Ill.; Selkirk, N.Y.; South Charleston, W.Va.; Tampa, Fla.; Toledo, Ohio; and Waycross, Ga.

• This year, CSX again sponsored the City of Jacksonville's Earth Day Poster Contest to help raise environmental awareness among students. Children grades K-12 created posters that reflect the contest's theme: "Nature's Calling – Are You Listening?" CSX also sponsored the Jacksonville Ecology Fair, which featured educational displays, live entertainment and giveaways while reminding participants about the importance of protecting and preserving the environment.

Throughout the year, CSX partners with organizations such as The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy and the Alliance for Community Trees to protect and improve the country's natural resources.

CSX continues to invest in innovative technologies and initiatives to further its sustainability goals.  CSX has improved its fuel efficiency by 100 percent since 1980 and the company continues to make progress on its voluntary goal to further reduce GHG emissions intensity by 6 to 8 percent by 2020.

In 2013, CSX was recognized on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, CDP's Global 500 Performance Leadership Index and the S&P 500 Performance Leadership Index for its leadership in environmental performance.

For more information on CSX's commitment to environmental sustainability or to learn how to get involved in local Earth Day activities, visit: www.csx.com or www.beyondourrails.com.

About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For more than 185 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and small farming towns alike. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).

SOURCE CSX