November 12, 2012 – Mississauga, ON – Cluttered office? Papers everywhere? Busted furniture? Beat up chair? Staples Advantage, the business-to-business division of Staples Canada, wants to hear from you. The company’s new “Messiest Office” contest lets workers across Canada compete to see who has the worst office.

Participants can submit pictures of their organizationally-challenged work environments through the Staples Advantage Canada website or Facebook page where votes will be cast for the office most in need of an overhaul. The winner, as chosen by a contest committee from the top entries, will receive a full office suite worth $7,500 including furniture, ergonomic desk accessories and organizational products.

“We are really excited about getting a chance to see some of the muddled offices across the country,” said Staples Advantage President Michael Zahra. “This contest will be fun to enter and everyone can help us choose a winner. Staples Advantage has a wide range of products that can fix and unclutter any messy office, and we challenge Canadians to show us an office we can’t organize and improve.”

The contest, which is open to anyone in Canada over the age of 21 who works in an office of 20 associates or more (excluding Quebec residents due to legal restrictions), will run from November 1, 2012 until January 4, 2013 and can be found at www.staplesadvantage.ca/Contest along with full contest details.

About Staples Advantage Canada

As the business-to-business division of Staples, Staples Advantage works with companies of 20 or more employees to develop customized programs with dedicated account management and a complete assortment of products and services to meet business needs.

The leading supplier in Canada, we work with our business partners to provide office supplies, technology products, facility supplies, furniture, and business services. Staples Advantage Canada is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, with eight distribution centres across Canada. Visit www.staplesadvantage.ca for more information, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

For further information:

Soulla Lindo
Marketing Communications Manager
Staples Advantage Canada
905-696-3733
Soulla.Lindo@staples.com

Staples Advantage helps 'green' local YMCA

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 4, 2012 /CNW/ - Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS)

Staples Advantage Canada, the business-to-business division of Staples Canada, has teamed up with local YMCAs to do its part to 'green' communities in Ontario. Throughout the summer, groups of Staples Advantage volunteers banded together to build a natural playground at the Mississauga YMCA and helped construct a green rooftop terrace at the Brampton YMCA. More than 40 Staples Advantage volunteers dedicated a total of 120 hours to the completion of both projects.

Staples Advantage takes pride in its partnerships with clients, which is how their involvement in the community project began. Through working with the YMCA, it was discovered that both organizations collaborate with Evergreen - a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to naturalizing playgrounds and building greener outdoor spaces in communities across Canada.

"Working together, Staples and the YMCA can leverage our common green and community-focused initiatives to help make a greater impact," says Susan D'Souza, National Manager for Quality and Sustainability for Staples Advantage. "We both recognize the importance of allowing kids to explore a more natural environment in the city.

"For the kids in our childcare program, this is a great way for them to get their hands dirty and learn about plants in their natural outdoor environment," says Alex Versluis, Vice President, Property Management, YMCA of Greater Toronto. "We believe it's important for our younger generation to learn about the environment so they can lead us to a healthier future."

Staples Advantage also provides additional support to Evergreen as the organization works to help make cities across Canada more livable with greener outdoor spaces. Staples recently donated $1 to Evergreen from every sale of Staples Sustainable Earth Brand remanufactured toner, contributing a total of $25,000 for their 2012 national school ground greening program.

About Staples Advantage Canada

The leading supplier in Canada, we work with our business partners to provide office supplies, technology products, facility supplies, furniture, and business services. Staples Advantage Canada is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, with eight distribution centres across Canada. For more information, visit www.staplesadvantage.ca.

About the YMCA of Greater Toronto

Established in 1853, The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity mobilizing people in the community to be healthier in spirit, mind and body. Serving the people of the GTA, including Durham, Peel, York, Halton Regions and Dufferin County, the YMCA connects with more than 480,000 people at 425 locations. In partnership with more than 250 organizations, the Y offers a variety of programs and services responding to the needs of the community, including employment, leadership and education, settlement programs, youth outreach and intervention, fitness and recreation, child care and camps.www.ymcagta.org

Staples Advantage Canada now offering MADD Virgin Drinks to Business Customers

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 14, 2012 /CNW/ - Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS)

Staples Advantage Canada, the business-to-business division of Staples, is the exclusive supplier in the office products industry of MADD Virgin Drinks - an alcohol-free line of beverages licensed by MADD Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). Initially available in Ontario, with anticipated expansion across Canada, Staples Advantage will carry three varieties from the alcohol free line - MADD Virgin Blanc, MADD Virgin Rouge, and MADD Virgin Brut. Staples Advantage will contribute ten percent of its net sales from MADD Virgin Drinks to MADD Canada to support the group's ongoing efforts to reduce impaired driving.

"As a trusted source for office solutions, Staples Advantage is offering MADD Virgin Drinks to our customers as a great choice for their corporate events such as company celebrations and employee functions," says Margaret Blake, Director of Merchandising at Staples Advantage. "Providing a safe and sophisticated beverage alternative at on-premise celebrations not only helps make the event enjoyable for everyone but has the added benefit of supporting the great work being done by MADD Canada."

"Staples Advantage also carries a wide selection of everyday breakroom products that includes everything from snacks and beverages to cutlery and cleaning supplies. The addition of MADD Virgin Drinks to this category makes it easy for organizations to order a variety of their corporate event necessities from one supplier.

"We are excited to have Staples Advantage carry MADD Virgin Drinks," says Andrew Murie, CEO of MADD Canada. "Making Virgin Drinks easily available at corporate functions encourages companies and their employees to drink responsibly."

The three varieties will be sold in packs of two and six and are now available for purchase online on www.eway.ca or by calling Staples Advantage at 1-877-272-2121.

About Staples Advantage Canada

As the business-to-business division of Staples, Staples Advantage works with companies of 20 or more employees to develop customized programs, dedicated account management, and a complete assortment of products and services to meet business needs.

As the leading supplier in Canada, we work with our business partners to provide office supplies, technology products, facility supplies, furniture, and business services. Staples Advantage Canada is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, with eight distribution centres across Canada. For more information, visit www.staplesadvantage.ca.

About MADD Canada

MADD Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) is a national, charitable organization that is committed to stopping impaired driving and supporting the victims of this violent crime. With volunteer-driven groups in more than 100 communities across Canada, MADD Canada aims to offer support services to victims, heighten awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and save lives and prevent injuries on our roads. For more information, visit www.madd.ca.

Strategy: Does it benefit your company to go green?

JON STOLLER
Special to Globe and Mail Update
Published Thursday, May. 24, 2012 5:00AM EDT
Last updated Thursday, May. 24, 2012 2:13PM EDT

Government-mandated environmental audits don’t come cheap. So when Staples Advantage, the B2B arm of the office supply giant, found that it could eliminate the consultant and assign the work to an internal “green team,” the choice was a no-brainer.

“We took their passion and we made it a win-win,” says Susan D’Souza, national manager of quality and sustainability. “They learned new skills, helped us meet a regulatory audit, and saved us thousands of dollars.”

This is a small example of how Staples Advantage’s sustainability strategy is paying off. On a larger scale, their Fifty Green program, which encourages its customers to eliminate small orders, reduced the number of small deliveries by 50 per cent in just three years, cutting into major cost centres such as fuel, vehicle depreciation, and administrative overhead. Other green programs have reduced packaging costs, lowered heating and lighting bills, and cut waste disposal costs.

Business growth is another important factor. Staples Advantage is finding, increasingly, that its customers also have sustainability policies and favour suppliers who align with similar objectives. The company frequently consults with its customers on sustainability issues, and has found the issue to be a powerful builder of customer loyalty.

Chartered accountant Mike Harris, a partner at PwC, says that, until recently, many businesses viewed sustainability as a matter of corporate philanthropy. Today, a growing number are finding that sustainability isn’t just about ethics; it also makes good business sense.

“Corporations now not only understand the significance of reducing their carbon footprint, but can see sustainable initiatives as investments in opportunities to operate more efficiently,” says Mr. Harris.

Accounting organizations themselves are engaging in sustainability initiatives.

The International Federation of Accountants, which represents about 2.5 million accountants in 127 countries and jurisdictions, has a permanent committee on sustainability, and accounting groups across the world are revising their skill specifications accordingly.

“The major accounting firms all have people that are involved in sustainability reporting,” says Aris Solomon, associate professor of accounting at Athabasca University.

Many, such as PwC, also have their own internal strategies in place. “Our goal for the environment includes reducing our carbon footprint, setting strategies in place to operate more resourcefully, and engaging our employees to put these efforts into practice,” says Mr. Harris.

The company’s new downtown Toronto building, for example, was built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold standards. Features like high-efficiency heating, thermal storage, and intelligent lighting systems ensure that the building consumes 30 per cent less energy.

PwC also uses technology to cut employee travel time, a major source of both costs and carbon output. “Technological innovation can transform patterns of travel and communication, and change energy consumption,” says Mr. Harris. “Across Canada, we provide staff with flexible work arrangements, telecommuting, updated video-conference capabilities, and online training delivery options. These efforts have contributed to a reduction in business travel costs, as well as improved employee satisfaction.”

As with Staples, the sustainability strategy at PwC is a powerful recruitment tool, and also creates teams of engaged employees who often take the lead on sustainability initiatives. One such program reduced paper consumption by 11 per cent, or more than 7 million sheets, using electronic communication.

Risk mitigation is another important benefit, says Dr. Solomon. Organizations with well-established sustainability policies are less subject to rising fuel prices, tightening of environmental regulations, or environmental mandates from major customers such as Wal-Mart. “It’s risk that affects the bottom line,” says Dr. Solomon.

Ultimately, the most significant gains come from the cumulative impact of sustainability initiatives. “We view sustainability as a key enabler to achieve our business goals, as well as impact the community and environment in a positive way,” says Ms. D’Souza of Staples. “I firmly believe that sustainability has to be built into every job description that we have here.”

Special to The Globe and Mail

THE BENEFITS

Sustainable strategies are not just good for the environment but also for business, say the experts. Here are four key benefits:

Lower operating costs. Sustainable policies can lower costs in areas such as energy consumption, administrative overhead, disposal and recycling, equipment depreciation, and maintenance.

Business growth. Sustainability can be a powerful marketing tool that drives revenue growth through customer loyalty, differentiation from competitors, and stronger brand awareness.

Employee engagement. Employees are often highly motivated by environmental issues, and can become more committed to their company by participating in activities that promote sustainability. A reputation for sustainable practices also helps companies recruit the best and the brightest.

Risk mitigation. Sustainability strategies can protect companies against regulatory changes, public relations liabilities, rising fuel prices, and the changing requirements of large customers.

Staples Advantage Receives Environmental Distributor Achievement Award from Cascades Tissue Group

Candiac, QC (April 22, 2012)

Cascades Tissue Group today announces that Staples Advantage based in Mississauga, ON, received an achievement award in honour of its strong partnership and dedication to furthering Cascades' environmental preferable products. By offering to their commercial and industrial clients tissue paper products made from 100 percent recycled fibre, instead of virgin fibre, Staples Advantage avoided releasing 735,468 kg of CO2, the equivalent of 246 cars' emissions, in 2011.

"The support from Staples Advantage is indispensable," said Suzanne Blanchet, Cascades Tissue Group CEO. "By honouring them with a certificate, we want to recognize their contribution in lowering our environmental footprint, and in informing our buyers and users on the importance of sustainable development."

Staples Advantage started distributing Cascades Tissue Group away-from-home products over 2 years ago. In recognition for their support, they were handed a certificate by Cascades Tissue Group Sales Account Director, Dan Bouliane.

Cascades Tissue Group, a division of Cascades, Inc., is the fourth largest manufacturer of tissue paper in North America. Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products that are composed mainly of recycled fibres. The Company employs more than 12,000 employees, who work in more than 100 units located in North America and Europe. With its management philosophy, half a century of experience in recycling, and continuous efforts in research and development as driving forces, Cascades continues to serve its clients with innovative products. Cascades' shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange, under the ticker symbol CAS.

Staples Advantage Joins with Evergreen to Green Communities

MISSISSAUGA, ON (April 2, 2012)

To commemorate Earth Day, Staples Advantage Canada has joined with Evergreen to help green schools and communities across the country. From April 1st to June 30th, every sale of Staples Sustainable Earth Brand remanufactured toners through Staples Advantage Canada will see $1 donated to Evergreen to assist in this environmental effort. Staples Advantage is the business-to-business division of Staples, the world’s largest office products company and second largest e-commerce company.

“Customers are always asking us for ways they can be more eco-conscious and this program helps each of them have a positive impact on the environment,” said Scott D’Cunha, Director of Marketing for Staples Advantage Canada. “In purchasing a Sustainable Earth Brand toner, customers are being environmentally responsible by choosing to use a remanufactured product,” We’d like to recognize that by donating a portion of the sale back to a charity like Evergreen who works to green schools and communities where we all live and work.” “This partnership is a win-win for the environment,” said Sarah Heynen, Director of Development, Evergreen. “Every dollar from the Sustainable Earth Brand Toner will go directly to support our national school ground green program ‘Learning Grounds,’ which supports healthy green spaces for urban schools in our communities.”

This is just one of several environmental programs Staples Advantage Canada has implemented which has a positive impact on the environment. In addition to ISO 14001 National Registration, Staples Advantage Canada has introduced and implemented several programs and initiatives to aid in continually improving their environmental footprint. These initiatives include the use of oxo-degradable delivery bags and the Fifty Green program, which places a $5 surcharge on delivery orders less than $50. Half of the surcharge is donated to Tree Canada to help offset the environmental impact of deliveries.

About Staples Advantage Canada

The leading supplier in Canada, we work with our business partners to provide office supplies, technology products, facility supplies, furniture, and business services. Staples Advantage Canada is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario with eight distribution centers across Canada. For more information visit www.staplesadvantage.ca

About Evergreen

Evergreen is a national not-for-profit organization that makes cities more livable. By deepening the connection between people and nature, and empowering Canadians to take a hands-on approach to their urban environments, Evergreen is improving the health of our cities—now and for the future. www.evergreen.ca

Staples Retail implements Privacy Commissioner’s findings,
supports retail industry privacy standards

As one of Canada’s most trusted brands, Staples takes privacy very seriously, and we work hard to protect our customers’ information. Just like technology, privacy standards and issues are evolving constantly. Because of that, Staples frequently updates its privacy policies to keep pace with technological change.

The audit released on June 21st, by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner found many positive initiatives that Staples Retail is taking in stores throughout Canada, and made a number of recommendations for improvement.

The report issued by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner reflects Staples Retail Stores only. Staples Advantage was not part of the report.

Staples Retail cooperated fully with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, and responded positively to all of the Privacy Commissioner’s recommendations well before the release of this audit.

Further, Staples has implemented changes that exceed current industry practice to remove personal data from returned memory devices. This meets the level requested by the Privacy Commissioner.

Many of the issues covered in the audit represent industry-wide challenges. That is why Staples Canada supports the development of industry-wide standards for information protection. As a leading brand, Staples is committed to playing a leading role in this process.

Staples Advantage wins 2010 Community Leadership Award of Excellence by COPA

We are thrilled to announce that Staples Advantage was selected by COPA (The Canadian Office Products Association) as the recipient of the 2010 Community Leadership Award of Excellence!

This award recognizes the efforts of Michael Zahra and the Staples Advantage team for going the extra mile in 2009/ Q1 2010 to get involved in programs such as Junior Achievement, Future Aces, Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity and Tree Canada.

Michael is honoured to accept this award which showcases his leadership to motivate and inspire others to make a difference in our community.

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