Office Depot honored as Energy Star Leader for 2012
Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot announced that it has been named to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) list of 2012 Energy Star Leaders for Leadership in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Office Depot’s significant energy reduction makes the retailer the first ever retailer in the United States to be recognized for a 30% or greater improvement.
In the baseline year of 2004, Office Depot facilities emitted 381,689 metric tons of carbon dioxide. By 2011, the carbon footprint of Office Depot’s facilities was 239,319 metric tons -- a reduction of over 140,000 metric tons, or 37% over the seven year period. This is equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of nearly 28,000 passenger vehicles.
"Office Depot is pleased to be recognized as an ENERGY STAR Leader for the second time,” said Edward Costa, VP construction for Office Depot. "Becoming the first retailer to achieve 30 percent or greater energy reduction further demonstrates our commitment to environmental leadership as we continue to implement a range of initiatives that uphold the company’s global environmental strategy to Buy Greener, Be Greener and Sell Greener.”
The achievement was accomplished as a result of investing in energy efficiency and green building initiatives. Such projects have included a major de-lamping effort and a change to energy efficient lamps, reflectors and ballasts; the installation of motion detectors in receiving areas; continued upgrades to building HVAC systems; and aggressive energy management controls and monitoring.