Staples Canada has set a goal to divert 100,000 kilograms of batteries from landfills in 2014 and says it, with partner Call2Recycle, has collected and diverted 30,295 kg of batteries in the first quarter this year.
The company also says, in the first two months of 2014 alone, it reduced emissions by 3,572 metric tons of CO².
The retailer announced these and other sustainability goals and Q1 achievements and says battery and ink cartridge recycling are top priorities for 2014.
The retailer surpassed its goal of collecting 5 million ink cartridges between Earth Day 2012 and Earth Day 2014. This year, Staples set a goal to collect 20 million cartridges by Earth Day 2016. In Q1 2014, Staples collected 684,685 cartridges, an 8.8 percent increase over Q4 2013.
Staples Canada, alongside its national partner, eCycle Solutions, collects electronics in almost 260 retail locations, with nine locations added in 2013. Staples Canada has set a goal of collecting 3,600 metric tons of electronics in 2014, with 821.10 metric tons collected in Q1.
Working with its exclusive partners, TerraCycle and Newell Rubbermaid, Staples Canada takes back used writing instruments such as pens, pencils, markers and highlighters. In 2014, Staples expects the program to grow and hopes to collect 70,000 units. In Q1 2014, Staples collected 8,553 units.
Through the Driver Take Back program, Staples delivery drivers collect used batteries, electronics and ink cartridges from customers when delivering orders. The program is currently active in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba and Nova Scotia. In Q1 2014, the Driver Take Back Program helped collect and divert 16,624.5 kg of electronics, 102,140 cartridges and 467.7 kg of batteries.
The retailer is also focused on looking to identify opportunities to reduce packaging. For example, the company is transitioning away from plastic packaging for Staples surge protectors.
In March, Staples Canada announced it exceeded many of its 2013 recycling goals by collecting 93,274 kilograms of batteries and 3,084,778 ink and toner cartridges.
