On the year celebrating its international centennial, the Better Business Bureau serving Mainland B.C. (BBB) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 5th annual Torch Awards, which turns a spotlight to ethics in the marketplace. Mills Office Productivity was recognized for its achievements along with these esteemed companies: Rogers Financial, China Star Holiday and Ethical Bean Coffee.

This year’s Green Award was awarded to Mills Office Productivity. The Green Award recognizes businesses that blend financial success with a strong commitment to positive and social outcomes. Social benefits include practices that revitalize neighbourhoods and create opportunities for marginalized groups, while environmental benefits look at going beyond basic office recycling programs.

“Ethics is an important part of who we are and we are proud that our customers have placed their trust in us” says Brad Mills, CEO of Mills. “Our success is not only measured by the dollars we make, but by the differences we create in our employees’ lives and the community we reside in. With this trust, comes a greater responsibility to continually move forward with our environmental and community initiatives, it is not just clever marketing…it is what we stand for.”

Mills embraces its community leadership and gives back by actively engaging with social enterprises, unique hiring practices and through sponsorships and donations, foundations and charities that aim to instill real and permanent improvements to the lives of disadvantaged community residents. Through programs such as HAVE Café, Dress for Success and Fast Track for Employment, Mills is making a difference and a commitment to the Downtown Eastside and its residents.

Mills commitment to the environment goes beyond the products it carries. Mills recently became a member of the BCorp community, because Mills wants to show its customers its commitment to the environment and the community it resides in by making its operations transparent to the public. Mills sustainability initiatives include being the first business partner of SHIFT Urban Cargo; first business in Canada to own the eStar-EV 100% electric delivery truck; local product sourcing and carbon-free delivery programs. 

About Mills Office Productivity

Locally owned and operated, Mills has been supplying the Lower Mainland with office supplies and printing services since 1949. A B Corp Certified and family owned business, Mills is known for its commitment to environmental sustainability and community based programs in the Downtown Eastside. www.mills.ca 

Mills Office Productivity

Mills Office Productivity

Mills has taken care of British Columbia’s office supplies needs since 1949. Founder Don Mills set out from his parents’ home at the age of 19 to become the youngest person in Canada to establish a commercial stationery company. The company was Mills Printing Stationery Co. and today, as Mills, it continues to be a visionary family business thriving as one of the largest office supply providers in British Columbia. Brad and Blair Mills have carried on their father’s legacy of care and determination while executing a vision of commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

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