TORONTO, Oct. 8, 2015 /CNW/ - Staples Canada released today its Q2
sustainability update and recent environmental
achievements. Highlights include collecting and diverting a
record 100,000 kilograms of batteries between January and
August 2015.
"Our commitment to sustainable business practices and customer
solutions continues to grow," said Pete Gibel, senior vice
president of merchandising at Staples
Canada and Chair of the Staples Canada Environmental
Committee. "We are reducing our collective impact on the
environment."
100,000 kilograms of batteries collected between January and
August 2015
Staples Canada partners with Call2Recycle to
collect and recycle batteries (rechargeable and alkaline) in every
Staples store. Between January and
August 2015, 100,000 kg of batteries
have been collected and diverted. In Q2 alone, 33,258 kg of
batteries were collected in-store.
Ink cartridge collection continues to be
strong
Staples
Canada gives customers the option to drop off used ink and
toner cartridges at every store location. In Q2, 975,941 ink
cartridges were collected - an increase of 37.4% over Q2 2014. This
year, Staples has set out to
collect 3 million ink cartridges.
Eco-conscious schools across the country are encouraged to order
a free recycling bin through the Staples Canada School Recycling
program to help collect and divert ink and toner cartridges from
landfills. For more information, visit staples.ca/environment or
canadaschoolrecycling.ca.
1,108,513 kilograms of electronics collected
Staples Canada,
alongside its national partner, eCycle Solutions, collects
electronics at 278 Staples locations. In Q2, 1,108,513 kg of
electronics were collected and recycled - a 19.1% increase over the
Q1 2015 collection total of 930,475 kg. Staples hopes to collect 4,000,000 kg of
electronics by the end of 2015.
28,878 writing instruments collected
Working with its
exclusive partners, TerraCycle and Newell
Rubbermaid, Staples Canada
accepts used writing instruments such as pens, pencils, markers and
highlighters for recycling. In Q2, 28,878 writing instruments were
collected and diverted. This is a 487.3% increase over Q2 2014
collections. In 2015, Staples
plans to collect 100,000 units.
115,207 ink cartridges collected through the Driver Take Back
Program
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 certain areas of
British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba and Nova
Scotia. In Q2, 115,207 ink cartridges, 78.5 kg of batteries
and 19,393.5 kg of electronics were collected and diverted.
Eco-responsible options offered during the back-to-school
season
During the back-to-school season, Staples continued to offer a selection of
litterless lunch products enabling students to have a wide variety
of eco-responsible choices including water bottles, hot and cold
food storage containers and lunch bags.
Staples, through its
partnership with ACCO and ME to WE, continues to offer a range of
eco-responsible and sustainably-made products that change the
world. Every purchase of a ME to WE product gives a life-changing
gift to a child in a Free The Children community overseas. Since
the partnership launched in the summer 2014, the program has
provided children in communities overseas with 41,000 healthy
meals, 75,000 school supply kits, 33,000 opportunities to access
clean water and 16,000 preventative health care treatments.
For more information about ME to WE and the partnership with
Staples, please visit
staples.ca/metowe.
Electricity consumption per square foot reduced in first two months
of fiscal Q2 2015
The retailer's store electricity consumption over May - June
of 2015 has declined over the same period in 2014:
- May electricity consumption: 1.1079 kWh / square foot
(3.4% decrease over same period in 2014)
- June electricity consumption: 1.0580 kWh / square foot
(9.3% decrease over same period in 2014)
Emissions reduced by 2,675 metric tons of co2 in
first two months of fiscal q2 2015
Over May - June of 2015, Staples was able to reduce emissions by over
2,675 metric tons of CO2, the equivalent to:
- the annual energy use of over 244 residential homes
- the carbon sequestered by over 2,193 acres of forests in one
year
- the annual greenhouse gas emissions of over 563 cars
Staples Canada's Director of
Environment named to Canada's
Clean50
Leigh Pearson,
director of facilities, environment and procurement at Staples Canada has been named to the 2016
Clean50. Canada's Clean50 Awards
are announced annually by Delta Management Group and the Clean50
organization 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 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.
Headquartered outside of Boston in
the United States with offices in
Toronto, Canada, Staples operates throughout North and
South America, Europe, Asia,
Australia and New Zealand. More information about
Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is
available at www.staples.com and www.staples.ca.
SOURCE Staples Canada Inc.