The world's largest office supply company reports sustainability successes
TORONTO, Nov. 8, 2012 /CNW/ - Staples, leader in office supplies and second largest online retailer, today announced increases in recycling, innovative new green products, and reduced energy consumption as part of its corporate sustainability report during the second quarter. The achievements are part of the retailer's long-term commitment to growing the business in a sustainable manner, and reducing its impact on the environment.
"Staples is selling 2,700 products with environmental attributes, collected over 7.2 million pounds of recyclable waste in the second quarter alone, and just surpassed our battery collection goal for 2012 by 15%, hitting 76,189 pounds of waste," said Pete Gibel, vice president of merchandising at Staples Canada. "We appreciate our customers' assistance in our environmental programs, as it helps us to grow - we're now collecting recyclable items via our delivery business too."
The retailer's sustainability strategy focuses on four key areas:
Recycling
The Staples Canada Return to Retail program empowers customers to properly recycle writing instruments, cell phones, ink/toner, and batteries. In an effort to divert 8 million pounds of electronics yearly, Staples expanded its electronics drop-off program to over 200 retail locations, with plans to reach all retail locations by 2015.
Staples also extended its recycling program to its delivery business, offering customers another easy way to be green by including electronic pick-up during delivery.
Sustainable Products & Services
Staples continues to increase its Eco-Responsible Product line with innovative and sustainable products, such as:
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Step Forward copy and print paper made of wheat straw and fibre |
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Mechanical pencils made of recycled rubber and bamboo |
"Not only are we committed to diverting materials from the waste stream, we also provide customers with great alternative products to meet their needs," said Gibel. "Staples operates our business in a sustainable manner, from internal operations to product sourcing, always considering our business's environmental footprint."
Driving Sustainable Change & Awareness Within Communities
The Staples 2012 Ink Cartridge Challenge hopes to collect 5 million ink cartridges by Earth Day 2014 - an increase of 2.5 million cartridges from last year. Schools across the country can assist in the program by signing up for a free ink cartridge bin, with Staples collecting the cartridges free of charge.
Energy Efficiency
Since 2009, Staples reduced electrical consumption in retail stores by over 3.5 million kilowatts. The retailer ran 158 projects last year, retrofitting 32 stores and re-lamping 126 stores to 25-watt lighting. This helped reduce electrical consumption by over 11 per cent.
Staples Advantage
The business-to-business division of Staples is also committed to sustainability. Staples Advantage Canada holds a corporate registration in both ISO9001 (Quality) and ISO14001 (Environment) which allows them to evaluate, monitor and manage their activities, products and services, and maintain a positive impact on the environment. Staples Advantage offers Sustainable Earth by Staples products (including non-toxic commercial cleaners, remanufactured toners, recycled paper products and more) enabling customers to reduce their environmental footprint. The Fifty Green program not only minimizes small order frequency, but proceeds are donated to Tree Canada to assist with replanting efforts. By picking up e-waste, gently used delivery boxes and toner, Staples Advantage makes it easy for customers to be green. And their national Sustainability Teams (who promote awareness and focus on environmental efforts) have implemented waste reduction initiatives across Canada.
For more information on Staples environmental platform or programs contact Valerie Outmezguine.
About Staples Canada
Staples, Canada's largest office products company is committed to providing Canadians with a wide choice of office services and products. Serving all types of business - from the small home office to large enterprise - Staples makes it easy for customers to operate their offices efficiently and affordably by offering an extensive selection of office supplies, technology, electronics and office furniture as well as business services, including computer repair and maintenance, and copy and print services. Operating as Bureau en GrosMC in the province of Quebec and Staples Canada in all other provinces, the company employs over 15,000 associates at 330+ stores and at their head office in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Ranked as one of Canada's top ten Canadian companies in Marketing Magazine's Marketing/Leger 2011 Corporate Reputation Survey, Staples/Bureau en Gros is dedicated to offering customers the highest level of service, whether they choose to shop in-store, by catalogue or online. Staples Canada/Bureau en Gros also is invested in a number of corporate giving programs that actively support environmental, educational and entrepreneurial initiatives in Canadian communities from coast to coast. Visit www.staples.ca for more information, or visit us on Facebook and Twitter.
About Staples Advantage Canada
As the business-to-business division of Staples, Staples Advantage works with companies of 20 or more employees to develop customized programs with dedicated account management and a complete assortment of products and services to meet business needs.
The leading supplier in Canada, we work with our business partners to provide office supplies, technology products, facility supplies, furniture, and business services. Staples Advantage Canada is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, with eight distribution centres across Canada. For more information, visit www.staplesadvantage.ca.
Image with caption: "Staples Canada in-store electronics recycling centre. (CNW Group/Staples Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121108_C6249_PHOTO_EN_20362.jpg
SOURCE: Staples Canada Inc.
Valerie Outmezguine, Public Relations Specialist, Staples Canada
905.737.1147 x 2426 / [email protected]
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