11.12.2002 ET

(CSRwire) FRAMINGHAM, Massachusetts - Staples, Inc. (SPLS) today announced its environmental paper procurement policy, formalizing the company's commitment to protecting forest resources through environmentally sound paper procurement practices. The policy solidifies Staples' position as the environmental leader in the U.S. office supply industry.

The purchasing policy outlines and reaffirms Staples' commitment to transitioning toward paper products with post consumer waste content, protecting forest resources and the support of well-managed forests. Staples worked closely with shareholders, consultants, suppliers and environmental groups, including Forest Ethics and Dogwood Alliance, on the development of the policy.

The policy strengthens Staples' overall environmental commitment to protect and preserve natural resources through its leadership in four major areas: the purchase and promotion of recycled content products, chain-wide recycling initiatives, energy conservation programs as well as educational initiatives for customers and associates.

"This is a significant moment for Staples and our commitment to environmental stewardship," said Staples' vice chairman Joseph Vassalluzzo. "We are proud of our solid history of dedication to the environment that has brought us to this important milestone. We now embrace the work ahead toward realizing our environmental goals."

To achieve its goals, Staples has committed itself to a continuous effort of learning, analysis, action and measurement. Staples will build its expertise in the knowledge of environmental issues related to paper products to improve, over time, the environmental attributes of the paper products it offers. In this ongoing process Staples will engage suppliers, customers and environmental leaders and provide an annual progress report to all stakeholders.

The policy reaffirms Staples' commitment to educating customers about its recycled product offerings, reinforcing the benefits of recycling and the use of products made from recycled resources. The latest consumer effort is a week-long ink jet cartridge recycling program to celebrate America Recycles Day.

"Customers who turn in empty ink jet cartridges at Staples stores through November 16 will be rewarded with a free ream of Staples brand 30 percent recycled copy paper. This program, is just one of our many environmental initiatives which rewards recycling and advances consumer awareness of recycled products," added Vassalluzzo.

Staples currently offers about 1,000 recycled content products--from copy paper to corrugated storage boxes to remanufactured ink cartridges--through its stores, website and catalogs. To view Staples' Environmental Paper Procurement Policy, please visit http://investor.staples.com and click on Environmental Paper Procurement Policy on the left-hand menu bar.

About Staples

Staples, Inc. is an $11 billion retailer of office supplies, business services, furniture and technology to consumers and businesses from home-based businesses to Fortune 500 companies in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal. Headquartered outside Boston, Staples invented the office superstore concept and today is the largest operator of office superstores in the world. The company has approximately 55,000 associates serving customers through more than 1,400 office superstores, mail order catalogs, e-commerce and a contract business. More information about the company is available at http://www.staples.com.

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