Grand & Toy CSR Report Reveals Improvements in Company's Sustainability Efforts and Offerings

New Programs Lead G&T Sustainability Efforts and Provide Opportunities for Customers to Go Green

TORONTO, Sept. 26, 2016 /CNW/ - Grand & Toy, an affiliate of global office products provider Office Depot, Inc., today released its seventh annual Corporate Sustainability Report, (CSR) available now at grandandtoy.com/2015csr. The report highlights progress across several key areas including recycling and green product initiatives, including the reduction of waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

"Our CSR strategy and industry-leading programs have allowed us to make a real impact on the environment and in our communities," said Serguei Tchertok, Sustainability Manager at Grand & Toy. "Grand & Toy's approach to corporate citizenship creates a ripple effect, and we could not be more proud of the sustainability progress achieved by all Grand & Toy employees, customers and suppliers."

The 2015 Corporate Sustainability Report provides an overview of Grand & Toy's efforts around the company's most important sustainability initiatives, as uncovered by a 2014 key stakeholder survey. Highlights and noteworthy sustainability achievements include:

• Green Products: In 2015, Grand & Toy launched a revolutionary green products classification program, assigning products a light, mid or dark green shade depending on their environmental attributes. The company created a dedicated "Go Green" page (grandandtoy.com/gogreen) to allow customers to search green products more effectively, as well as, a "Greener Office" page (grandandtoy.com/greeneroffice) to encourage environmentally conscious purchasing practices. Sales of green products have increased to 24 percent of total sales, up 4 per cent since 2014.
• Waste and Recycling: The 2014 TerraCycle K-cup® recycling pilot project was rolled out nationally in 2015 resulting in 270,000 recycled coffee capsules by Grand & Toy and its customers, a vast improvement over the 50,000 recycled in 2014. Also, other Zero Waste Boxes were introduced to help customers recycle the "unrecyclable" including: office supplies, personal protective equipment and computer accessories.
• Performance Highlights: Due to streamlining of operations, the greenhouse gas footprint of Grand & Toy facilities decreased 12 per cent in 2015 compared to the previous year, and 52 percent since 2010. Waste sent to landfills also continued to decline with a 14 per cent decrease since 2014.
• Social Sustainability: In 2015, Grand & Toy launched a new volunteer program called "Pause and Affect" where every associate is provided eight paid hours per year to participate in volunteer activities. Grand & Toy employees contributed 577 hours of volunteering across Canada in 2015.

For more information about Grand & Toy's commitment to Corporate Citizenship and to read the full report, please visit: grandandtoy.com/citizenship.

About Grand & Toy 

With a heritage that dates back to 1882, today's Grand & Toy is committed to offering sustainable solutions to Canadian businesses in the areas of interiors, technology, and print services, in addition to office and facility supplies. We are one of the largest B2B office products and services providers, operating one of the country's biggest distribution networks serving customers coast-to-coast via our direct sales force and e-commerce platform. Grand & Toy also demonstrates a firm commitment to corporate social responsibility through a comprehensive sustainability strategy that is manifested through numerous internal and external environmental and social outreach programs. For more information, visit grandandtoy.com.

SOURCE Grand & Toy

Media Contact: Jenny Maycock, Environics Communications, Inc. (for Grand & Toy), [email protected], 416-969-2718