Staples Canada announces new goal of collecting 2 million cartridges!

National retailer exceeds goal of diverting one million cartridges away from landfills and now proposes a Two Million Cartridge Challenge

Richmond Hill, ON, April 22, 2009- STAPLES Canada surpassed their goal of collecting one million used ink and toner cartridges and is now issuing a new challenge to Canadians – the Two Million Cartridge Challenge, starting today.

"Canadians exceeded our expectations and I know they can do it again. We want to keep used cartridges out of landfills by recycling them. It’s time for the two million cartridge challenge," said STAPLES Canada President, Steve Matyas. STAPLES Canada collected and recycled 1.3 million cartridges as part of their Million Cartridge Challenge which began September 24, 2008. Two million laser cartridges stacked end-to-end is equivalent to approximately 1240 CN Towers in height.

The Two Million Cartridge Challenge begins April 22, 2009—Earth Day, until the following Earth Day—April 22, 2010. "This is a good opportunity to take action with small changes that will impact greatly on our future. It’s important we educate our children about the environment and how to sustain it." commented Matyas.

STAPLES Canada has been recycling used ink and toner cartridges for the past ten years, along with rechargeable batteries and cell phones. STAPLES also sells hundreds of eco-friendly products and is committed to several environmental initiatives as part of their community@work program, which focuses on the three E’s: Environment, Education and Entrepreneurship.

STAPLES has participated in Earth Hour for the past two years, turning off all non-essential lighting. STAPLES/Bureau en Gros stores across Canada also reduce their non-essential lighting in June and July as part of the Lights Out Program. This program saves significant amounts of energy by reducing the heat load and making it easier for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to cool buildings.