Office supply retailer announces lighting initiative reducing energy
consumption

STAPLES Canada participating in Earth Hour, reducing store lighting and announces light bulb recycling

RICHMOND HILL, ON, March 23 /CNW/ - STAPLES Canada will be participating in Earth Hour on Saturday, March 27 beginning at 8:30 pm for the third year in a row. The office supply giant is also running its annual 'Lights Out' program again this summer, while now partnering with 'Take Back The Light' - a program that recycles light bulbs.

"Across Canada STAPLES' is taking a major initiative to reduce energy consumption. Sustainability is not only about recycling and buying earth friendly products, but making a lifestyle change," said Leigh Pearson, Environmental and Facilities manager for STAPLES Canada.

Earth Hour will see STAPLES stores reduce lighting for one hour in support of Earth Hour, a global initiative organized by World Wildlife Fund (WWF). STAPLES' 'Lights-Out' program begins June 1, and lighting reduction will occur during daylight hours only and ends July 30. The 'Lights-Out' program will significantly save energy by reducing the heat load in buildings, making it easier for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to keep buildings cool.

"In 2009 we changed the light bulbs in 80 locations from a 32w to a 25 w fluorescent bulb. The reduction in energy consumption on an annual basis is enough to power almost 400 homes for one year. Our goal is to complete the same amount in 2010," continued Pearson. STAPLES is recycling their light bulbs with the Recycling Council of Ontario, as 30-million mercury-containing lamps go to landfills every year.

About STAPLES Canada

Founded in Toronto in 1991, STAPLES Canada Inc. is Canada's largest supplier of office supplies, business machines, office furniture and business services for the small business and home office customer. The company is an everyday low price retailer. The chain operates stores in all provinces across Canada under the banners STAPLES(R) Business Depot and Bureau en Gros(MC). Marketing Magazine's Marketing/Leger 2008 Corporate Reputation Survey ranked STAPLES Canada/Bureau en Gros number one among Canada's top 100 companies surveyed in Canada. The company has over 13,500 employees serving customers through more than 300 office superstores, catalogue, and e-commerce. STAPLES Canada/Bureau en Gros is committed to making shopping easy by offering customers three ways to shop: online, by catalogue and in-store. More information is available at www.staples.ca.

For further information: Alessandra Saccal, Public Relations Manager, [phone] ext. 2363, [email protected]; Rachel Swiednicki, Public Relations Specialist, [phone] ext. 2714, [email protected]