Staples Canada progresses in Q1 sustainability

Toronto - Staples Canada has released its 2015 recycling objectives and first quarter update. Highlights include a plan to collect three million ink cartridges and 4,000,000 kg of electronics in 2015.



Staples Canada partners with Call2Recycle to collect and recycle batteries (rechargeable and alkaline) in every Staples store. In the first quarter, 37,111 kg of batteries were collected, an increase of 22.5% from the same quarter a year earlier. The retailer has set a goal of collecting 125,000 kg of batteries in 2015.



Staples Canada gives customers the option to drop off used ink and toner cartridges at every store location. In the first quarter, 940,938 ink cartridges were collected – an increase of 37.4%. This year, Staples has set out to collect three million ink cartridges.



Staples Canada, alongside its national partner, eCycle Solutions, collects electronics at 278 Staples locations. In the first quarter, 930,475 kg of electronics were collected – a 13.3% increase. In 2015, Staples hopes to collect four million kg of electronics.



Working with its exclusive partners, TerraCycle and Newell Rubbermaid, Staples Canada accepts used writing instruments such as pens, pencils, markers and highlighters for recycling. A total of 33,312 writing instruments were collected in the first quarter – an increase of 389.5%. In 2015, Staples plans to collect 100,000 units.



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 the first quarter, 7,691.5 kg of electronics, 96,487 ink cartridges and 59.9 kg of batteries were collected.



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. Retail store energy consumption during February and March of 2015 declined from the same period in 2014:



• Electricity consumption: 1.1787 kWh / square foot (6.9% decrease from the same period in 2014)



• Natural gas consumption: 0.1270 cubic meters / square foot (10.8% decrease from the same period in 2014)



Between February and March of 2015, Staples was also able to reduce emissions by over 2,975 metric tons of CO², equivalent to:



• annual energy use of more than 271 residential homes.

• carbon sequestered by more than 2,438 acres of forests in one year.

• annual greenhouse gas emissions of more than 626 cars.



Staples has earned a standing on Corporate Knights' Top Foreign Corporate Citizens in Canada this year. To qualify for the Top Foreign Corporate Citizens in Canada, a company must rank among the top five globally within its industry on the 2015 Global 100 criteria and have a Canadian subsidiary that is a member of the 2014 Financial Post 500 list.