SPLS Staples, Inc.

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.