Staples Canada Redefines Its Green Strategy for a New Era of Impact

RICHMOND HILL, ON – April 16, 2026 – Staples Canada has unveiled a significant evolution in its corporate social responsibility strategy, moving away from fixed-term goals to a more dynamic and integrated framework. The announcement came with the release of its 2025 Community Impact and Sustainability Report, which simultaneously celebrated the successful completion of its five-year 'Goals for a Greener Future' program and detailed a new, forward-looking approach to environmental stewardship and community support.

The comprehensive report highlights remarkable achievements in recycling and waste diversion while also underscoring record-breaking fundraising for health equity and educational initiatives. The strategic shift signals a maturation of the company's sustainability efforts, reflecting a broader industry trend toward holistic Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) integration rather than isolated targets.

"Each year, we set ambitious goals to strengthen our commitment to environment, equity and education in the communities we serve," said Jens Cermak, CEO of Staples Canada, in a statement. "Our new sustainability framework reflects how we're evolving – moving from individual targets to driving cumulative, measurable impact across our entire business. I'm proud of what our team and partners have built, and I'm energized by what's ahead."

From Fixed Goals to a Dynamic Framework

The cornerstone of the announcement is the conclusion of the 'Goals for a Greener Future' program, launched in 2020. Over its five-year span, the initiative delivered impressive results that significantly exceeded its original targets. The company reported recycling over 14,000 metric tonnes of technology, more than 12 million writing instruments through a unique national partnership with TerraCycle, and 9.2 million ink and toner cartridges.

Its battery recycling program, active since 2004, has collected more than 2.34 million kilograms of used batteries, an achievement that earned Staples Canada the 2025 Leaders in Sustainability Award from Call2Recycle for its outstanding leadership in the field.

Building on this success, the company is now replacing its fixed-target model with a progress-driven approach centered on four interconnected pillars for 2026 and beyond: Waste Diversion and Circular Economy, Climate Action and Carbon Management, Sustainable Products and Services, and Community Impact. This new framework is designed to be more adaptive to changing consumer expectations, evolving regulations, and the complex challenges of sustainability, allowing the company to pursue continuous improvement across its entire operation.

Innovation and Technology Driving Climate Action

A key component of the retailer's strategy is the adoption of technology to reduce its environmental footprint. In 2025, the company continued the expansion of its electric vehicle (EV) delivery fleet, adding 10 new EVs to serve major urban centers including Vancouver, Laval, Winnipeg, and Calgary. These vehicles are managed with smart routing software that calculates the most efficient delivery paths, minimizing mileage and associated emissions.

This move toward electrification complements a long-standing partnership with Bullfrog Power. Since 2013, Staples Canada has powered its Print production centres, Solution Shops, and Studio co-working spaces with 100 percent clean, renewable electricity. This initiative, which has displaced more than 36,000 tonnes of CO2e, has made the company the number one retail partner for Bullfrog Power in Canada.

Further cementing its role as an innovator, Staples Canada became the first company to pilot the new Bullfrog Environmental Token technology. Launched at its Burlington, Ontario store, these digital tokens leverage technology to provide a transparent and immutable record of a store's environmental impacts. This pilot project aims to revolutionize traceability in corporate green claims, with Bullfrog Power expecting to make the technology available to other partners in 2026. Independent verification of the company's environmental data is handled by Enerfrog Business Services Inc., adding a layer of third-party credibility to its reporting.

Deepening Community Roots Through Equity and Education

Beyond its environmental efforts, the 2025 report highlights the profound social impact of the company's community-focused pillars. The flagship 'Even the Odds' initiative, a partnership with MAP (Canada's largest health equity research centre), reached a new milestone. Over four years, the program has raised more than $9 million, nearly doubling its initial commitment. In 2025 alone, a combination of customer donations, corporate matching, and partner contributions generated over $2 million to fund evidence-based solutions for critical gaps in community health.

Simultaneously, the company's annual School Supply Drive celebrated its 20th anniversary with its most successful year to date. The 2025 campaign raised a record $1.16 million, bringing the program's cumulative fundraising total to over $18 million since its inception in 2005. Through enduring partnerships with organizations like United Way/Centraide and Kiwanis, the drive provides essential school supplies to students in need, breaking down barriers to learning in communities across the country.

These initiatives demonstrate a deep commitment to social equity and education, forming a critical part of the company's overall impact strategy. The success of these programs, driven by customer and employee participation, underscores a strong public alignment with the retailer's community values.

The Power of a Partner Ecosystem

Underpinning all of Staples Canada's achievements is a robust ecosystem of strategic partnerships. The company's circular economy ambitions are brought to life through collaborations with specialists like TerraCycle for writing instruments, eCycle Solutions for electronics, and Call2Recycle for batteries. These partnerships provide the infrastructure necessary for Canadians to easily recycle a wide range of products, diverting vast amounts of waste from landfills.

The company's 17-year relationship with Tree Canada has resulted in the planting of more than 256,000 trees, contributing to reforestation and carbon sequestration in underserved areas. This network of specialized partners allows the retailer to execute complex sustainability and community programs at a national scale, amplifying its impact far beyond what it could achieve alone.

As Staples Canada embarks on this new chapter, its evolved strategy represents a comprehensive blueprint for modern corporate responsibility. By weaving sustainability and community impact into the fabric of its business operations—driven by technology, verified by partners, and supported by its customers—the company is positioning itself not just as a retailer, but as an active participant in building a more sustainable and equitable future for Canada.