Staples Canada reports significant progress in recyclable collection during Q1 2015

By Paul Ploumis 30 Jun 2015 Last updated at 06:29:43 GMT

TORONTO (Scrap Monster): Staples Canada has released its recycling objectives for 2015 and an update on its performance during the first quarter of the current year. According to Pete Gibel, Senior Vice President-Merchandising, Staples Canada has made notable progress on the sustainability front. It plans to collect 3 million ink cartridges and 4 million kilograms of electronic items during the year.

The report released yesterday states that Staples Canada in partnership with Call2Recycle has collected 37,111 kilograms of batteries (rechargeable and alkaline) during the first quarter of the current year. This is 22.5% higher when compared with the collection level during the corresponding quarter in 2014. Staples Canada has set a goal of collecting 125,000 kilograms of batteries during the entire year 2015.

Also, 940,938 ink catridges have been collected during Q1 this year. With this collection rate, Staples Canada is all set to achieve the yearly collection target of 3 million ink cartridges. The collections during the quarter rose significantly by 37.4% when matched with Q1 2014. The retailer distributes free recycling bins to schools across the country as part of their School Recycling Programme. Also, customers have the option of dropping off their used ink and toner cartridges at Staples stores.

The report also states that electronics collection rates witnessed 13.3% increase over Q1 2014. The collection program, in partnership with eCycle Solutions, collected 930,475 kilograms of used electronics. Also, 33,312 used writing instruments such as pens, pencils, markers and highlighters were collected for recycling during the quarter, rising sharply by nearly 400% over the same quarter last year. Staples has set a yearly collection target of 100,000 for 2015.

In addition, 7,691.5 kg of electronics, 96,487 ink cartridges and 59.9 kg of batteries were collected through the Driver Take Back program in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba and Nova Scotia.