WhatÂ’s your green resolution?

Staples Canada PVC-free packaging advances sustainability with eco-friendly materials, e-waste recycling drop-offs, and energy efficiency tips like LCD monitors, power bars, compact fluorescent bulbs, rechargeable batteries, and paper reuse for greener homes and offices.

In 2009, Staples Canada collected over 1.3-million ink and toner cartridges, recycled more than 2,127 tonnes of electronic waste, diverted 3,450 tonnes of cardboard from landfills and expanded the number of stores collecting electronic waste. What is your eco-resolution?

Staples Canada has set a goal to eliminate PVC (polyvinyl chloride) from its own brand product packaging by fall.

"We are taking innovative initiatives in building sustainability into our business, as seen in IKEA Canada's energy cuts across its stores. Taking out PVCs from packaging and giving customers a place to recycle their unwanted electronics is another way we are giving customers easy options to help the environment," said Pete Gibel, Chair of Staples Canada environmental committee.

Making eco-resolutions is easy and affects everyone, as events like Sears Earth Hour efforts have shown in communities.

"You are not only doing something good for yourself and others, but also for generations to come. There are many simple lifestyle changes people can make at home and in the office, including staying informed about the incandescent ban debate when choosing lighting, that can make a difference," said Gibel.

Staples Canada wants every Canadian to take action in building a sustainable lifestyle for our future. Here are a few tips:

• Embrace the flat screen - Flat screen monitors and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screens use less than half the energy of traditional CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors.

• Reuse materials as much as you can - Print documents and recipes on the back of used paper; save paper clips, push-pins, elastics, sticky flags; make a point of buying rechargeable batteries.

• Purchase a power bar and turn everything off - Turning everything off with the single flick of a power bar, a step similar to Walmart's dimming during peak periods, makes it easy to save energy (and money)!

• Switch lightbulbs to compact fluorescent - The typical incandescent is 60W and a comparable compact fluorescent is 13W, though CFLs have tradeoffs to weigh - a significant kilowatt reduction when you consider the number of hours you operate your lights and the fact that the average cost of electricity is 10 cents per kilowatt hour.

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