Staples Canada Releases Q1 2015 Sustainability Achievements, Showing Continued Progress In Recycling And Energy Efficiency

• Ranks among Corporate Knights' Top Foreign Corporate Citizens
• Staples Copy & Print offers more eco-responsible choices

Staples Canada released recently its 2015 recycling objectives and Q1 update. Highlights include a plan to collect 3 million ink cartridges and 4,000,000 kg of electronics in 2015.

"We've made significant progress on the sustainability front, and we are continuing our momentum this year," said Pete Gibel, senior vice president of merchandising at Staples Canada and Chair of the Staples Canada Environmental Committee. "Our goal is to enable our associates to raise the bar and give our customers more eco-responsible options than ever."

37,111 kilograms of batteries collected
Staples Canada partners with Call2Recycle to collect and recycle batteries (rechargeable and alkaline) in every Staples store. In Q1 alone 37,111 kg of batteries were collected, an increase of 22.5% over Q1 2014. The retailer has set a goal of collecting 125,000 kg of batteries in 2015.

940,938 ink cartridges collected
Staples Canada gives customers the option to drop off used ink and toner cartridges at every store location. In Q1, 940,938 ink cartridges were collected – an increase of 37.4% from Q1 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 orcanadaschoolrecycling.ca.

930,475 kilograms of electronics collected
Staples Canada, alongside its national partner, eCycle Solutions, collects electronics at 278 Staples locations. In Q1, 930,475 kg of electronics were collected – a 13.3% increase over Q1 2014. In 2015, Staples hopes to collect 4,000,000 kg of electronics.

33,312 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. A total of 33,312 writing instruments were collected in Q1 2015 – an increase of 389.5% over Q1 2014. In 2015, Staples plans to collect 100,000 units.

96,487 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 Q1, 7,691.5 kg of electronics, 96,487 ink cartridges and 59.9 kg of batteries were collected.

More eco-responsible choices with Staples Copy & Print
Staples Copy & Print Centres are equipped with the latest in energy-efficient technology and offer a variety of eco-responsible options, including:

• Reducing the environmental impact of energy-intensive copy and print jobs produced at any of the four bullfrogpowered Copy & Print Production Centres located in Burnaby, Mississauga, Laval and Calgary
• Eco-conscious and FSC-certified paper choices
• A secure shredding service in partnership with Iron Mountain that allows customers to safely and cost-effectively destroy sensitive paper documents. All shredded materials are recycled to minimize waste, pollution and impact on our natural resources

Staples ranks among Corporate Knights' Top Foreign Corporate Citizens
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.

Electricity/natural gas consumption per square foot was reduced at retail locations in the first two months of Fiscal 2015
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 over the same period in 2014:

• Electricity consumption: 1.1787 kWh / square foot (6.9% decrease over the same period in 2014)
• Natural gas consumption: 0.1270 cubic metres / square foot (10.8% decrease over the same period in 2014)

Emissions reduced by 2,975 metric tons of CO² in the first two months of Fiscal 2015
Between February and March of 2015, Staples was able to reduce emissions by over 2,975 metric tons of CO², equivalent to:

• the annual energy use of over 271 residential homes
• the carbon sequestered by over 2,438 acres of forests in one year
• the annual greenhouse gas emissions of over 626 cars

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 ofBoston in the United States with offices in Toronto, Canada, Staples operates throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia,Australia and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.staples.com and www.staples.ca.