Staples 2015 Annual Report Download - page 78

SUMMARY OF 2015 STAPLES CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2 STAPLES Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
ENVIRONMENT
Our vision is to generate business and environmental benefits —
for ourselves, our customers and our communities — by leading
the way in sustainable business practices. Staples is working
to achieve this vision through a continued focus on sourcing
more sustainable products; improving our offering of recycling
and other green services; increasing our energy efficiency and
renewable energy use to reduce our climate impacts; and
eliminating waste.
Progress update:
• Globally, we offer more than 13,000 products with
environmental attributes in our stores and online,
representing more than $5.6 billion in sales in 2015.
• We have industry leading customer recycling programs
for ink and toner cartridges and electronics. In 2015, we
helped our customers recycle more than 55 million ink and
toner cartridges across our markets. We also collected
more than 26 million pounds of office technology globally
for responsible recycling.
• We remain focused on energy efficiency and renewable
energy. In 2015, we ended the year with 656 buildings
certified to the ENERGY STAR standard. In addition,
we have incorporated solar into 33 locations in the US
and multiple locations in Europe including the UK and
Germany.
• The ISO14001 Environmental Management System
standard is held in 112 facilities across Staples
International. In addition, Staples Sweden, Staples
Denmark and Staples Norway were the first in the
industry in Europe to receive ISO 26000 verification, an
international standard for social responsibility.
• Staples Europe is supporting Plant for the Planet, one
of the world’s leading tree planting charities, by planting
trees on the behalf of customers who improve their eco-
performance. So far Staples has already planted 7,400
trees for associates to mark the start of this relationship.
ETHICS
At Staples, doing right is just as important as doing well. We
know that a strong foundation of ethics and governance is
comprised of both a clear and comprehensive Code of
Ethics (the “Code”) and conduct which demonstrates an
uncompromising commitment to that Code. Both are essential
to build the trust of our customers, investors and other
stakeholders. That’s why we hold all Staples associates, from
the boardroom to the store floor to the supply chain, to the
highest standards of honesty, fairness and integrity.
Progress update:
• Provided associates with a single destination to access
policies, training and resources through internal online
Ethics and Compliance Community.
• Revised and streamlined International ethics and
compliance training program to ensure that associates
have easy access to all of their required training.
• Provided live training to business units domestically and
internationally to help ensure that associates are familiar
with relevant laws and company policies.
• Maintained Staples Supplier Code of Conduct, which is
designed to ensure that workers making Staples brand
products are treated fairly, with dignity and respect, and
that our suppliers operate in an ethical and environmentally
sustainable manner. We audit every factory that supplies
Staples brand products if they are located in a designated
“at risk” country for compliance with our Code.
RECOGNITION & AWARDS
As a result of the collaborative effort of our leadership team
and our associates globally, several organizations recognized
Staples in 2015 for excellence in corporate responsibility.
• For the twelfth consecutive year, selected as a component
of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI) for
2015/2016.
• Staples Canada ranked 9th most reputable brand
in 2015 Leger & Marketing Magazine’s Corporate
Reputation Study.
• Named to Newsweek’s Top Green Companies in the U.S.
2015 rankings.
• Staples won an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award
in 2015 for Sustained Excellence.
• Named by U.S. EPA as Safer Choice (formerly Design for
Environment) Partner of the Year for 2015.
• 2015 Environmental Leader Product & Project Award –
Top Product of the Year Award for TerraCycle Zero Waste
Box Launch.
• For the 6th straight year, earned perfect 100% score on
the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index.
• Included on Black EOE Journal’s 2015 Best of the Best
Lists: Top Disability-Friendly Companies and Top LGBT-
Friendly Companies.
• Recognized by US Business Leaders Network for
Disability Inclusion in our Fulfillment Centers.
• Shira Goodman recognized by Professional Women’s
Magazine as one of 2015’s “Women Worth Watching.”