Without question, the use of industrial recycled waste and Staples commitment to quality is something to discuss. Furthermore, it lends toward the next “That Was Easy” product to market.
WWF Committed to Stopping Deforestation
So as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) commits to stopping deforestation with collaboration, they are part of a Global Paper Vision. A vision that addresses climate change, human rights and new expectations for corporate transparency.
Source: Eyes on the Planet“Paper is such an everyday product that it offers numerous pathways into promoting a fairer, more sustainable use of natural resources in practical ways,” said Emmanuelle Neyroumande, Pulp and Paper Global Manager at WWF International, “The Global Paper Vision sets out aspirations that can – and should be – picked up by policy makers, producers and paper users.”
Therefore, Staples is capturing post-consumer waste. That’s because it’s then paper off the trash market. Thereby it commits to less paper not being re-used. This negative cycle is to stop. So we can reverse the disastrous effects of worldwide deforestation. See: For More on the WWF Path to Sustainability
Staples Work for the Environment
For years, Staples has worked with suppliers. Worked to advance and improve their offerings of greener Own brand. As well as typical name-brand products. So in stores and online, Staples offers customers more than 10,000 eco-conscious products. Yes folks, which is including items that meet some of the most stringent environmental standards.
Staples Sells Green Products
For example, like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper products, Green Seal™ certified cleaners, and ENERGY STAR® certified technology. Their Easy on the Planet site has more information about our assortment. As well as tools and tips for customers shopping for environmental products.
Their U.S. sales of products with one or more environmental features were $2.98 billion in 2013. Similarly 22% of total U.S. product sales. Meanwhile, U.S. sales of products meeting our criteria for more advanced environmental features were $1.97 billion, or 14.5% of total sales. In fact, sales of advanced environmental products increased 20% from 2012 to 2013 in the U.S. All driven in part by their increased assortment of FSC-certified papers, greener Own brand products. Finally their ENERGY STAR technology products. Globally, sales of products with advanced environmental features were more than $3.25 billion in 2013.
Sustainable Paper Procurment Policy
Their Sustainable Paper Procurement Policy forms the foundation of their commitment. A commitment to ensuring that the paper products they sell are sourced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. This also defines their expectations for suppliers of paper-based products. As a result, the policy focuses on four key areas:
Protecting forest resources and communities
Reducing demand for virgin wood fiber
Sourcing from paper mills committed to environmental excellence
Reporting on our progress
We collaborate with several non-profits to help us improve paper-product sustainability, and will continue to work closely with our suppliers and other stakeholders to ensure we are improving our forest-management practices, protecting endangered and high conservation-value forests and developing more sustainable products.
Carbon Canopy
For several years, Staples has helped lead a multi-stakeholder effort called the Carbon Canopy in collaboration with the Dogwood Alliance. This effort engages other conservation groups, global brands, wood product companies and landowners to protect forests, combat climate change and help develop sources of Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper and wood products.
Staples partners with several organizations on our paper sustainability initiatives:
Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement
Carbon Canopy
Forest Legality Alliance
Forest Products Working Group (FPWG),
a project of GreenBlue
Rainforest Alliance SmartSource
RIT Golisano Institute for Sustainability
