Staples Canada Continues to Drive Sustainability

Retailer expands sustainability programs and exceeds 2012 goals

TORONTO, April 2, 2013 /CNW/ - Staples Canada, leader in office supplies and Canada's largest online retailer, today announced their 2012 sustainability achievements, exceeding many program specific goals and increasing the recycling of electronics and batteries while reducing energy consumption across the company. These 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.

"In 2012 we achieved our goal of accelerating our sustainability programs," said Pete Gibel, vice president of merchandising at Staples Canada and Chair of the Staples Canada Environmental Committee. "In 2013, we have expanded our programs and we will continue to make it easy for our customers to help make a positive impact on the environment."

In 2012 the company exceeded many of its sustainability program specific goals, including:

Battery Recycling Program
Staples Canada partners with Call2Recycle to collect and recycle batteries (re-chargeable and alkaline). The program helped divert over 49,528 kg of batteries from landfills, more than double the amount collected in 2011.

Ink and Toner Return Program
taples Canada collects ink and toner at every store location in Canada. In 2012, over 2.5 million cartridges were collected, with a plan to collect 5 million ink cartridges by Earth Day 2014. 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.

Electronics Recycling
In an effort to divert 8 million pounds of electronics yearly, Staples, alongside their national electronics recycling partner, eCycle Solutions, has expanded its electronics drop-off program to over 250 retail locations as of early 2013. In 2012, the retailer collected and recycled 3,000 metric tonnes of electronics.

Writing Instruments
In April 2012, Staples Canada, the exclusive retail partner of Terracycle and Newell Rubbermaid, launched a writing instrument recycle program. This program focuses on taking back used writing instruments such as pens, pencils, markers, highlighters. The items are then shipped to Terracycle where they can be effectively recycled. Last year, the retailer successfully collected and recycled 197,000 units.

Sustainable Products
Staples continues to source and offer customers alternative, eco-responsible products, such as Step Forward multi-purpose paper made of wheat straw and many Staples® brand products with innovative and sustainable attributes. Staples continues to add products featuring independent environmental certifications such as Forest Stewardship Council and Energy Star, as well as products featuring recycled content and various other environmental design features.

Energy Efficiency
Staples Canada continues to reduce energy consumption and actively works to conserve energy across the business by reducing overall energy costs, and diversifying energy sources.

Since 2009, Staples reduced electrical consumption in retail stores by over 3.5 million kilowatts. As of 2012, a large majority of Staples Canada store locations run on 25 watt light bulbs, helping to reduce electrical consumption by over 11%. In 2013, Staples plans an additional 5% reduction in electrical consumption.

Staples Canada wins Innovation in Sustainability Award
The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association, (PRSM), the authority on retail and multi-site facilities management, has awarded Staples Canada the 2013 Innovation in Sustainability Award in the Waste Management Recycling and Reuse category for its sustainability programs. The PRSM Association Innovation in Sustainability Award recognizes member companies that have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in sustainable or "green" program development, management and leadership in the industry.

Business-to-Business division of Staples Canada Grows Commitment to Sustainability
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. Since the launch of the program in 2008, Staples Advantage has donated more than $400,000 to the cause which has resulted in more than 100,000 trees being planted nationwide. 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. On Earth Day, they will be launching the Integrated Rated Indicator for Sustainability (IRIS™), an interactive tracking tool developed by Loop, used to set goals, track progress and visually report on our sustainability initiatives to all stakeholders.

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.

SOURCE: Staples Canada

For more information on Staples environmental platform or programs contact Madalina Secareanu, Marketing Communications Specialist, Staples Canada at 905 737 1147 ex. 2714 or Alessandra Saccal-Tremblay, Public Relations Manager, Staples Canada at 905 737 1147 x 2363.