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Our goals and initiatives.

We believe success and sustainability are both possible.

Like every company, we want to be successful, and we want to do it sustainably — not just for ourselves, but for our customers and communities. We're working hard to achieve this through a continued focus on sourcing more sustainable products, improving our green services, maximizing energy efficiency and renewable energy use, and eliminating operational waste.

Our green vision

Offer only sustainable choices to our customers

Recycle 100% of the technology products we sell

Pursue zero waste in our operations

Maximize energy efficiency and renewable energy use

Drive positive change in the world community

Our goals

Staples has worked hard to develop and put into motion a new sustainability strategy — one that focuses on how we can have the most positive impact on the environment while also meeting the needs of our customers and our business.

Reduce global carbon emissions 50% by 2020 from a 2010 baseline

Goal 1 of 9

Recycle 100 million ink and toner cartridges each year across all operations by 2020.

Goal 2 of 9

Recycle 40 million pounds of electronic waste each year globally by 2020.

Goal 3 of 9

Reduce waste to landfills 25% globally by 2020 with 2010 as a baseline.

Goal 4 of 9

Reduce the use of packaging materials in the United States 20% by 2020 from a 2010 baseline.

Goal 5 of 9

Improve Staples' U.S. fleet fuel economy 15% by 2015 from a 2010 baseline.

Goal 6 of 9

Ensure that 50% of our active locations in the United States achieve ENERGY STAR® certification by 2020.

Goal 7 of 9

Reduce the electrical intensity of our global operations 25% by 2020 from a 2010 baseline.

Goal 8 of 9

Continue to improve sourcing, identification, and promotion of greener products to customers.

Goal 9 of 9

Our initiatives and progress

From making deliveries to our customers to making decisions in our offices, every day we focus on our sustainability strategy and goals to make sure we are always doing better for the planet. Learn more in our Corporate Responsibility Report.

Staples offers more than 10,000 products with environmental features in stores and online, including Staples' own Sustainable Earth™ brand products.

Initiative 1 of 8

In late 2010, Staples launched a "Race to the Top" initiative, engaging with key suppliers to find innovative solutions for reducing the environmental impacts of packaging and product design and manufacturing.

Initiative 2 of 8

Staples has invested in renewable energy sources, including hosting solar arrays on our building roofs, piloting fuel cell technology, and purchasing green power for our operations. In 2011, Staples purchased 341 million kilowatts of green power in the form of renewable energy certificates, the equivalent of ~50% of our annual electricity use in the United States.

Initiative 3 of 8

In 2011, we helped our U.S. customers recycle more than 67 million ink and toner cartridges. We also helped U.S. customers recycle more than 13 million pounds of technology waste.

Initiative 4 of 8

By putting 53 all-electric trucks on the road, and limiting our top truck speed, Staples is reducing fuel costs and air pollution.

Initiative 5 of 8

Staples uses energy efficiency techniques to reduce energy consumption in our buildings. We have also certified many of our buildings to recognized environmental standards like ENERGY STAR®, LEED® and ISO 14001.

Initiative 6 of 8

Staples® Copy & Print use 50% post-consumer-recycled, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper as the standard offering.

Initiative 7 of 8

Staples' Paper Procurement Policy reflects our goal of increasing the sustainability of the paper products we offer.

Initiative 8 of 8

How we're doing

Staples partners closely with stakeholders to ensure we are taking a holistic, well-informed approach to our programs, and to stay on top of sustainability trends. Here are a few highlights of our demonstrated sustainability leadership.