There are a few ways you can shop green:
Staples offers a large assortment of products with environmental features, some of which are "industry standard." Certain products have been specifically called out for meeting a higher standard for environmental performance. You can find the criteria for these "eco-conscious" products below.
Eco-conscious products contain 30% post-consumer recycled content or more.
Products meeting our eco-conscious criteria adhere to a select group of third-party environmental standards and certifications. To learn more about these standards, visit our eco-terms glossary.
Eco-conscious products with these features contain 30% or more agricultural residues, rapidly renewable materials or bio-based plastics.
Forest Stewardship Council®, Green Seal™
EPA ENERGY STAR®, EPEAT
Green Seal™, EPA Design for the Environment
BPI compostable, USDA Organic, Rainforest Alliance Certified™, Fair Trade Certified™
level®, Cradle to Cradle™
The Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) Approved Product (AP) Seal identifies products that are certified by a medical expert to be safe for humans, including children. Learn more at www.acminet.org/
pens | tape | desk supplies
teaching | drafting | art
The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) Compostable certification means that products meet ASTM D6400 or D6868 standards for biodegradability when composted. Learn more at www.bpiworld.org/BPI-Public
plates | cups | cutlery
Organic is a labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has been produced through approved methods that integrate cultural, biological and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity. Learn more about the National Organic Program: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/nop.
coffee | water | snacks
A certification program that certifies products to four levels (Basic, Silver, Gold and Platinum) based on product life cycle environmental impacts. Learn more at www.c2ccertified.com
cleaning | facilities | safety
furniture | chairs | cabinets
boards | easels | dry-erase
The U.S. EPA Design for the Environment (DfE) program uses the DfE label on chemical-based household and commercial products that meet the program's stringent human and environmental health criteria. Learn more at www.epa.gov/dfe
cleaning | facilities | safety
The ENERGY STAR mark identifies products that meet U.S. EPA and Department of Energy standards for energy efficiency. Learn more at www.energystar.gov
PCs | drives | accessories
printers | shredders | machines | calculators
phones | cameras | electronics | eReaders
kitchen appliances
heating | cooling | air quality
lightbulbs
The leading resource for identifying electronic products designed to reduce overall impact on the environment by meeting strict environmental performance criteria. Learn more at www.epeat.net
drives | accessories
To earn a license from Fair Trade USA and to use the Fair Trade Certified label on their products, companies must buy from certified farms and organizations, pay Fair Trade prices and premiums and submit to rigorous supply chain audits. Learn more at http://fairtradeusa.org/
coffee | water | snacks
The Forest Stewardship Council is an independent nonprofit organization that promotes environmentally sound, socially beneficial and economically prosperous management of the world's forests. Because FSC is the gold standard for forest stewardship, it is the only certification system supported by the greater environmental community. For more information, visit www.fscus.org
paper | notebooks | post-it notes | self-stick notes
furniture | chairs | cabinets
Green Seal certifies products that are holistically designed to be environmentally responsible, including commercial and industrial cleaning products and copy and print paper. Learn more at www.greenseal.org
cleaning | facilities | safety
paper | notebooks | Post-it® notes | self-stick notes
GREENGUARD products have been scientifically tested and proven to be low chemical emitting, helping you create a healthier indoor space. Learn more at www.greenguard.org
cleaning | facilities | safety
furniture | chairs | cabinets
level is the independent, third-party certification program created to support third-party claims of conformance to the ANSI/BIFMA e3 furniture sustainability standard. Products are certified to the levels 1, 2 or 3 Learn more at http://levelcertified.org/
furniture | chairs | cabinets
Rainforest Alliance Certified farm and forest operations meet comprehensive standards that protect the environment and promote the rights and well-being of workers, their families and communities. To learn more about the Rainforest Alliance, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org
coffee | water | snacks
paper | notebooks | Post-it® notes | self-stick notes
The amount of pre- and post-consumer recycled content used in a material (usually shown as a percentage). Pre-consumer recycled is waste from a manufacturing process that has been collected, processed and recycled into new materials or products before ever going to market. Post-consumer recycled is material that has completed its life cycle as a consumer product before being collected, processed and recycled into new materials or products. Paper used by an office and then recycled is considered a post-consumer material.
Recycled-content choices can be found for most products we sell.
Refers to products that have been disassembled, repaired and reassembled to initial specifications, extending the product life cycle.
ink and toner
Scientific Certification Systems provides third-party certification that products meet rigorous indoor air-quality standards. SCS Indoor Advantage is designed for non-flooring products that are intended for use within an enclosed indoor environment, including wall coverings, insulation, systems furniture, seating, casework and paints. There are two levels of certification offered under the program Indoor Advantage (furniture) and Indoor Advantage Gold (all other). Learn more at http://www.scscertified.com/gbc/indooradvantage.php
furniture | chairs | cabinets
boards | easels | dry-erase