Corporate Express Australia introduces Staples Carbon Neutral A4/A3 copy paper, also certified under PEFC, Australian Forestry Standard, says product has potential to offset equivalent of 71,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2012

Kendall Sinclair

FRAMINGHAM, Massachusetts , December 6, 2011 (press release) – Corporate Express today announced that it has taken its best selling product EXP 800/801 and has made it carbon neutral[1]. Staples Carbon Neutral A4/A3 copy paper is one of the first office copy paper products to receive the Australian Government’s National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) certification. It is also certified under the Australian Forestry Standard and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

As an industry leader in sustainability, Corporate Express is committed to helping all its customers reduce their carbon footprint by making sustainable office product choices easier.

Edward Baral, National Merchandising Manager, Corporate Express Australia said, “Based on last year’s sales of EXP800/801 copy paper, the introduction of Staples Carbon Neutral copy paper has the potential to remove or offset the equivalent of 71,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the environment in 2012 through the purchase of this product[2]. That is the equivalent of taking 16,500 cars off the road for a year.”[3]

As the leading office copy paper supplier in Australia, Corporate Express wanted to make it easy for customers to choose an Australian made carbon neutral alternative.

Meg McDonald, CEO of Low Carbon Australia, congratulated Corporate Express for their leadership in bringing this Australian made carbon neutral product to market, enabling more business customers to make the smart choice and contribute to Australia’s low carbon economy.

“This is an important demonstration of an industry leading business in Australia taking an active role in helping Australian businesses to lower their carbon footprint through the provision, use and consumption of NCOS certified copy paper,” said Ms McDonald.

“Staples Carbon Neutral copy paper is Australian-made and is replacing the existing EXP800/801 copy paper. We are delighted that we can transition our customers to a carbon neutral product at no additional cost,” Mr Baral said.

“Today’s carbon neutral copy paper launch offers a simple but significant step for Australian businesses and other organisations looking to reduce their carbon footprint. The purchasing of this carbon neutral product will also enable our customers to access internationally recognised GRI and sustainability reporting on their carbon neutral paper usage,” Mr Baral concluded.

Corporate Express won the 2011 Australian Business Award for Environmental Sustainability. This award recognises organisations that demonstrate leadership and commitment to the enhancement, preservation and protection of the environment.


About Corporate Express

Corporate Express Australia Pty Limited is one of Australia’s leading suppliers of office essentials, with a product offering including office products, IT solutions, business furniture, print management, canteen and catering supplies, promotional marketing, facility supplies and education products. Corporate Express Australia, Corporate Express New Zealand, are owned by Staples.

About Staples

Staples is the world’s largest office products company and a trusted source for office solutions. The company provides products, services and expertise in office supplies, copy & print, technology, facilities and break room, and furniture. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and now has annual sales of $25 billion, ranking second in the world in eCommerce sales. With 90,000 associates worldwide, Staples operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia, making it easy for businesses of all sizes, and consumers. The company is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com/media.

About the National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS)

The Australian Government introduced the National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) in 2010 to provide national consistency and consumer confidence in the voluntary carbon market. The standard serves two primary functions – it provides guidance on what is a genuine voluntary offset and sets minimum requirements for calculating, auditing and offsetting the carbon footprint of an organisation or product to achieve ‘carbon neutrality’.

The NCOS Carbon Neutral Program is administered by Low Carbon Australia on behalf of the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. See www.climatechange.gov.au for more information.

About Low Carbon Australia – Carbon Neutral Program

The Carbon Neutral Program is a voluntary scheme which allows Australian businesses to measure, reduce and offset greenhouse gas emissions associated with business operations or products.

The Program is administered by Low Carbon Australia on behalf of the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. Low Carbon Australia was set up by the Australian Government in 2010 as a company limited by guarantee with an independent board of directors. For more information please visit www.lowcarbonaustralia.com.au/cnprogram.

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