Staples Reducing Costs and Emissions While Maintaining Performance

Staples, Inc. is the world’s largest office products company. With 2005 sales of $16.1 billion, Staples serves consumers and businesses ranging from home-based businesses to Fortune 500 companies in 21 countries throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. Staples operates more than 1,250 stores in the U.S. and 1,786 worldwide and also serves its customers through mail order catalog, e-commerce and contract businesses. The company’s retail and delivery operations are supported by a network of facilities that distributes products to stores and fulfills delivery orders nationwide. Because this network’s facilities and equipment consume a significant amount of energy, the company had many opportunities to become more efficient. To this end, Staples’ Energy Management Solutions (EMS) team has cut costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by upgrading to energy-efficient equipment and incorporating best management practices.

Distribution Infrastructure

An essential part of Staples