Staples Canada On-track to Make an Impact on the Environment

Retailer's sustainability programs show growth in the second quarter of 2013

TORONTO, Sept. 26, 2013 /CNW/ - Staples Canada, leader in office supplies and Canada's largest online retailer, today announced its sustainability achievements for the second quarter of 2013, showing progress over a range of recycling and energy efficiency programs. The retailer continues to focus on its long-term commitment to growing the business in a sustainable manner, and reducing its impact on the environment.

"Our environmental programs were developed with our customers in mind," said Pete Gibel, vice president of merchandising at Staples Canada and Chair of the Staples Canada Environmental Committee. "We know that our customers share our commitment to the environment, and we continue to make a difference with their help. We make it easy for them to recycle everything from batteries to electronics. At the same time, we at Staples, continue to challenge ourselves as environmental program leaders."

Customer Participation Helps Make an Impact
Through expanded program awareness, and customer participation, Staples Canada's sustainability programs show growth year over year:

Over 23,880 kg of Batteries Diverted from Landfills
Staples Canada partners with Call2Recycle to collect and recycle batteries (re-chargeable and alkaline). The program helped Staples Canada and its customers divert over 23,880 kg of batteries from landfills in the second quarter of 2013, an increase of 120.3% over Q2 2012. During the first quarter of 2013, Staples Canada helped divert 23,860 kg of batteries putting the retailer on-track to exceed its goal of collecting 60,000 kg this year.

790,000 Ink and Toner Cartridges Collected
Staples Canada gives customers the option to drop off used ink and toner cartages at every store in Canada. In the second quarter of 2013, 790,000 ink and toner cartridges were collected: an increase of 200,000 units over Q2 2012. With a target to collect 5 million ink cartridges by Earth Day 2014, the retailer continues to encourage Canadians to drop off used ink and toner cartridges at any Staples Canada location. 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.

797.44 Metric Tons of Electronics Collected
Staples Canada, alongside its national electronics recycling partner, eCycle Solutions, expanded its electronics drop-off program to over 250 retail locations in early 2013. In the second quarter of 2013, Staples Canada customers helped the retailer collect 797.44 metric tons of electronics, an increase of 17.8% over Q2 2012. In the first quarter of 2013, the retailer collected 780.24 metric tons with a goal to collect 3,000 metric tons of electronics this year.

3,083 Writing Instruments Collected
Alongside their exclusive partners, TerraCycle and Newell Rubbermaid, Staples Canada takes back used writing instruments such as pens, pencils, markers and highlighters. In the second quarter of 2013, 3,083 units were collected. That's 225% over the number of units collected in Q2 2012. During the Back-to-School season, this program was also highlighted in one of the retailer's key weekly flyers.

3,400 Sustainable Products In-Store
Staples continues to source and offer customers alternative, eco-responsible products, such as Forest Stewardship Council Certified Multiuse paper, and continues to add products with eco-responsible features such as recycled content or independent environmental certifications such as Rainforest Alliance and Energy Star. In-store, Staples continues to offer over 3,400 products which have at least one eco-attribute, with many more available online.  Staples has recently introduced a new "Sustainable Earth" copy paper, made from 95% sugarcane fibres, reducing the need to harvest trees to make paper.

Energy Consumption Down 9% in Q2
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. By the end of 2012, a large majority of Staples Canada store locations ran on 25 watt light bulbs, helping to reduce electrical consumption by over 11%. The retailer's 2013 goal is to reduce electrical consumption by 5%.  As of Q2 electrical consumption was down 9% over 2012.  Staples is also piloting efficient destratification fans in several locations, replacing HVAC units, and planning an exterior lighting retrofit for by the end of Q4 2013.

Through its Lights Out program, Staples reduced electrical consumption in June and July by over 2.4 million KW.

The bullfrogpowered^® Printers Program
Announced this past June, Staples Canada has partnered with Bullfrog Power, to provide the retailer with clean, renewable electricity for two office buildings and 11 stores across Canada. This partnership makes Staples Canada the 10^th largest consumer of renewable energy in Canada.

From September 25 until October 25, any inkjet printer purchased at a Staples store location will be bullfrogpowered with 100 per cent clean, pollution-free electricity for one full year, courtesy of Staples Canada.

Business-to-Business Division of Staples 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 $560,000 to the cause which has resulted in more than 130,000 trees being planted and 10 schools being greened nationwide. By picking up e-waste, gently used delivery boxes and toner, Staples Advantage makes it easy for customers to be green. And its national Sustainability Teams (who promote awareness and focus on environmental efforts) have implemented waste reduction initiatives across Canada. On Earth Day 2013, they launched 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.

Staples Canada Sustainability Leaders Honoured with Canada's 2014 Clean50 Award
Vice president of merchandising, Pete Gibel and director of facilities, environment and procurement, Leigh Pearson have been named to Canada's 2014 Clean50 as part of a team in the Retail and Consumer Products category for their efforts in setting the sustainability agenda and identifying key focus areas for the retailer.

Canada's Clean50 Awards are announced annually by Delta Management Group to recognize those 50 individuals or small teams, from 16 different categories, who have done the most to advance the cause of sustainability and clean capitalism in Canada over the past 2 years.

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 Gros^MC 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 2013 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 @StaplesCanada.

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 Inc.