Staples Canada says it is on track to meet 2025 environmental goals centred around waste diversion, recycling and improving energy efficiency.

"As the Working and Learning Company, sustainability has long been part of our DNA and our achievements to date reflect this dedication," David Boone, CEO of Staples Canada, says in a press release.

"We know that we're all accountable for our planet and we are excited to further invest and strengthen our sustainability initiatives in order to provide Canadians with easy eco-conscious solutions and drive positive change."

The Canadian branch of Staples is headquartered in Richmond Hill.

Waste, recycling, renewables

Staples Canada provided statistical updates on its waste and recycling targets for 2025, which were announced in 2020.

The company says it has been involved in recycling six million tonnes of technology-based waste to date, out of a 13.5 million tonnes target.

For its writing tools and ink and toner recycling goals, it has collected 4.5 million units out of 8 million units and 4.4 million units out of 8.5 million units, respectively.

Staples' has collected 495 tonnes of batteries for recycling, on the way to its target of 750 tonnes.

It plans to reduce natural gas and electricity consumption in its buildings by 10 per cent from its baseline; and reports a natural gas reduction of 5.6 per cent so far, and 9.78 per cent for electricity.

Staples Canada partnered with Call2Recycle for battery recycling, and with TerraCycle for recycling writing instruments and hosting TerraCycle's Zero Waste Box for difficult waste streams like coffee capsules, safety equipment and office waste.

At its Staples Studio co-working spaces, Print Hubs, Solutionshop locations and E-commerce platform, the company uses renewable energy from Bullfrog Power.

The Staples Canada goals fall under a broader commitment to slash operational carbon emissions by 35 per cent and divert 90 per cent of waste from fulfillment centres to recycling by 2028.

Across the Staples U.S. Delivery, Staples U.S. Retail, and Staples Canada business operations, the company reports a 49 per cent absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions from 2010 to 2020.

What Staples plans to do

Staples Canada has set a goal for all its buildings to have interior and exterior LED lighting by 2025.

The 35 per cent reduction in operational carbon emissions by 2028 will be measured from a 2021 baseline. The company says this will be achieved through energy efficiency, electrifying its fleet and its efficiency, and procuring renewable electricity.

The company’s first electric vehicle fleet will begin operations in Vancouver this month, with 10 more vehicles to be deployed in Ontario later in the summer.

By 2028, Staples hopes to have 70 per cent of its suppliers, by spend, set carbon emissions reduction targets aligned with climate science. It will encourage its suppliers and track their progress and assist in connecting them with the resources to accomplish this goal.