To coincide with World Environment Day, Australia's leading office products company, Corporate Express has released its third sustainability report called Staples Soul.

Within the web-base report are simple steps for organisations to take action in their own workplace for World Environment Day and beyond. By moving to a web-based report, Corporate Express has also included a resource called 'Take Action' which provides simple steps to take action in the workplace. Organisations can see tips to be more sustainable, choose from over 1,500 environmentally preferable products from Corporate Express' Go-Green Guide, access tools to learn more about third party eco labels and environmental certifications and even take a free mini-office 'green health check' assessment that includes an action plan of ideas to implement in the workplace.

As a company that has been at the forefront of sustainable practices for over 10 years, Jennifer Levasseur, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager says: "Staples Soul reflects our commitment to corporate social responsibility; it brings together our efforts to give back to our communities, embrace diversity, sustain the environment and practice sound ethics. We recognise the impacts our decisions have on our stakeholders and work with them to determine mutually beneficial solutions."

Paul Hitchcock, CEO of Corporate Express said: "As well as focusing on maintaining our own environmental leadership, we're also committed to helping our customers make environmentally preferable choices for their own businesses. Our sustainability report also acts as a one-stop-shop to help businesses start their own sustainability journey".

In the latest web-based report, Corporate Express shows significant progress in key areas such as ethical sourcing, employee engagement, health and safety, diversity, sustainable procurement, environmentally preferable products, sustainable packaging and carbon management.

The results outlined from the 2010 financial year focus on several key areas:

• Ethics: Working with key offshore suppliers to help them achieve compliance with the Company's Ethical Sourcing Policy.
  
• Community: The Company raised $46,000 to help those affected by the devastating floods that affected Queensland in early 2011.
  
• Environment: Corporate Express' Environmental Management System achieved certification against the international standard ISO 14001, as well as reduced its total net greenhouse gas emissions by 17%; increased tonnes of plastic/cans/glass recycled by 97%; and increased tonnes of paper/cardboard recycled by 50%.
  
• Diversity: The Company increased the number of females in senior leadership roles from nine percent in 2008 to 33 per cent in 2010; launched its Reconciliation Action Plan, initiated a Supplier Diversity Program; and received external recognition for these diversity programs.

As well as featuring key achievements for 2010, the new interactive report aims to encourage and facilitate sustainable procurement for Australian businesses. Organisations can customise their own version of the report based on the information relevant for their sustainability strategy.

To view the Sustainability Report or to take action with simple steps in your organisation for World Environment Day - log onto www.ce.com.au/soul.

About Corporate Express

Corporate Express Pty Limited is one of Australia's leading suppliers of office essentials, with a product offering including office products, IT solutions, business furniture, print management, canteen and catering supplies, promotional marketing, facility supplies and education products. Corporate Express Australia, and its wholly owned subsidiary Corporate Express New Zealand, were acquired by Staples Ltd, in September 2010.

About Staples

Staples is the world's largest office products company and a trusted source for office solutions. The company provides products, services and expertise in office supplies, copy & print, technology, facilities and breakroom, and furniture. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and now has annual sales of $25 billion, ranking second in the world in eCommerce sales. With 90,000 associates worldwide, Staples operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia, making it easy for businesses of all sizes, and consumers. The company is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com/media.

Corporate Express Australia Limited

Corporate Express Australia Limited

Corporate Express is one of Australia’s leading suppliers of business products and services, with a product offering including office products, IT solutions, business furniture, print management, canteen and catering supplies, promotional marketing, facility supplies and education products.

More from Corporate Express Australia Limited