The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) with a 2015 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award for their continued leadership in protecting our environment through superior energy efficiency achievements. Staples's accomplishments will be recognized in Washington, D.C. on April 20, 2015.
Staples, an ENERGY STAR partner since 2001, will be honored for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency. This is the fifth consecutive year Staples has been honored with Energy Star Partner of the Year Award.
Staples achieved the certification of 625 buildings, and recertified 225 buildings in 2014. Staples was a strong competitor in the EPA Better Buildings Challenge committing to reduce energy intensity 25% by 2020 and to reduce its carbon footprint 50% by 2025. Overall, Staples achieved an 11.3% portfolio-wide reduction in energy intensity over the past years with its energy efficiency program including green power investments providing 18 million kWh of clean energy from solar.
"Staples truly values our partnership with ENERGY STAR," said Bob Valair, Director of Energy and Environmental Management."It's exciting to see the impact we've made through energy efficiency in our portfolio of buildings and we remain committed to continuing our work to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment."
Since its inception in 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners have helped prevent a total of more than two billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2013 alone, ENERGY STAR and its partners provided more than $11 billion in societal benefits due to reducing damages from climate change.
"Through their sustained participation with ENERGY STAR, Staples is helping Americans save money, save energy, and do their part to reduce our nation's greenhouse gas emissions that fuel climate change," said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. "I applaud Staples for earning EPA's highest ENERGY STAR award, the 2015 Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award, demonstrating a strong commitment to energy efficiency and to preserving a healthy planet for future generations."
The 2015 Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a variety of organizations to recognize their contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through superior energy efficiency achievements. These winners have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals, and employing innovative energy efficiency approaches. These awards recognize ongoing leadership across the ENERGY STAR program, including energy-efficient products, services, new homes, and buildings in the commercial, industrial, and public sectors.
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