SPLS Staples, Inc.

Entire flyer printing operations now bullfrogpowered® with renewable energy

TORONTO, Sept. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - Staples Canada today released its Q2 sustainability update. Highlights include bullfrogpowering its entire flyer printing operations with 100% renewable electricity, Across Canada, Bullfrog Power's green electricity comes from a blend of wind and low-impact hydro power sourced from new Canadian renewable energy facilities. Bullfrog's generators put green electricity onto the grid to match the amount of conventional electricity a bullfrogpowered home or business uses. Staples Canada has been a proud supporter of renewable energy through Bullfrog Power since April 2013.

"As one of the largest supporters of renewable energy in Canada through Bullfrog Power¹, we're committed to reducing our environmental impact," said Pete Gibel, senior vice president of merchandising and Chair of the Staples Canada Environmental Committee. "By bullfrogpowering our entire flyer printing operations we're greening an element of our business that touches all of Staples' retail locations and reaches millions of Canadians."

Over 1 Million Kilograms of Electronics Collected  

Staples Canada makes it easy for customers to recycle everything from computers and office technology products, to ink and toner cartridges, writing instruments, and rechargeable batteries. The company is committed to diverting materials from the waste stream. In Q2 2016 Staples, alongside its customers, helped divert: 

• 39,633.9 kg of batteries which equal the weight of 7 male African bush elephants
• 99,527 writing instruments which, when laid end to end, would cross the 14.3 km-long Strait of Gibraltar
• 1,010,450.8 kg of electronics which equal the weight of 396 pick-up trucks

Through the Driver Take Back program, Staples delivery drivers collect used batteries, electronics and ink cartridges from customers when delivering orders. The program is active in parts of British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba and Nova Scotia. In Q2 2016, 13,500.5 kg of electronics, 54.1 kg of batteries and 107,911 ink and toner cartridges were collected.  Overall, 754,430 ink cartridges were collected this past quarter by Staples Canada.

Entire Staples Canada Flyer Printing Operations Now Bullfrogpowered with Clean, Renewable Energy

Staples Canada has been a proud supporter of renewable energy through Bullfrog Power since April 2013. Currently, Staples Canada is bullfrogpowering the Staples Canada head office, four Copy & Print production centres and most recently, its entire flyer printing operations, as well as the Staples Business Advantage head office and its e-commerce web services.

In partnering with Bullfrog Power, Staples Canada is reducing the environmental impact of its bullfrogpowered business operations, and helping to support the development of green energy projects across Canada.

As one of the largest supporters of renewable energy in Canada through Bullfrog Power, Staples Canada will reduce its carbon emissions footprint by an estimated 2,926 tonnes this year. This is equivalent to:

• Taking 615 cars off the road for a year
• Diverting 1,045 tonnes of waste from landfill
• The amount of carbon sequestered by 970 hectares of forest in one year

Emissions Reduced by 1,553 Metric Tons of CO2 in Fiscal Q2 2016

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

• May 2016 electricity consumption: 1.1297 kWh / square foot (2.5 per cent decrease over same period in 2015)
• June 2016 electricity consumption: 1.1459 kWh / square foot (2.0 per cent decrease over same period in 2015)
• July 2016 electricity consumption: 1.2563 kWh / square foot (2.3 per cent decrease over same period in 2015)

Over Q2 2016, Staples Canada reduced emissions by over 1,553 metric tonnes of CO2, the equivalent to:

• The annual energy use of 164 residential homes
• The carbon sequestered by 595 hectares of forests in one year 
• The annual greenhouse gas emissions of 328 cars

About Staples Canada/Bureau en Gros
Staples Canada/Bureau en Gros makes it easy to make more happen with more products and more ways to shop. Through its world-class retail, online and delivery capabilities, Staples lets customers shop however and whenever they want, whether it's in-store, online, on mobile devices, or through the company's innovative buy online, pick up in store option. Staples offers more products than ever, such as technology, facilities and breakroom supplies, furniture, safety supplies, medical supplies, and Copy and Print services. Consistently ranked as one of Canada's top ten companies in Marketing Magazine's Marketing/Leger Corporate Reputation Survey, Staples/Bureau en Gros is dedicated to offering customers the highest level of service. 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.

SOURCE Staples Canada Inc.