The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) yesterday presented Staples Inc. and Whole Foods Market with WasteWise Leadership Awards in recognition of the companies' efforts to promote waste reduction, recycling and environmental stewardship.  

"These two well-known retailers have made environmental responsibility a guiding principle of their corporate cultures," said MassDEP Commissioner Laurie Burt in presenting the awards during a Massachusetts WasteWise regional forum at the Canton headquarters of Dunkin' Brands. "Both Staples and Whole Foods have gone above and beyond when it comes to waste reduction, recycling and conservation."

Staples offers nearly 3,000 recycled products for sale and provides in-store recycling services for a wide range of used electronics and office equipment: computers and office technology products, ink and toner cartridges, cell phones and other personal electronics, and rechargeable batteries.

The Framingham-based office supply superstore chain also sponsors Earth 911 Business (http://www.earth911business.com), a web site that connects businesses with environmental resources across the country, and is committed to recycling and energy conservation as part of its internal operations. In 2006, Staples recycled more than 26,000 tons of cardboard and 3,800 tons of computer equipment and peripherals, and worked to reduce its electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions through conservation and the use of renewable energy.

"Staples is committed to sustainable business practices throughout our organization, and we make it easy for customers to make a difference for the environment - what we call EcoEasy," said Mark Buckley, vice president of environmental affairs, Staples, Inc. "We're honored to receive this recognition and will continue to seek new ways to enable our customers and associates to better conserve resources and reduce waste."

For more information on Staples recycling/environmental programs: http://www.staples.com/sbd/content/about/soul/environment.html  

Whole Foods Market was a charter participant in the state's voluntary Supermarket Recycling Program Certification (SRPC), and already has certified that 16 of its 18 stores in Massachusetts recycle and compost a wide range of materials - from cardboard, plastic stretch film and waxed cardboard to organic wastes such as spoiled fruits, vegetables, floral and deli wastes - and also participate in local food donation programs. 

"Thoughtful stewardship of our planet is one of our core values and means a great deal to us," said Whole Foods Green Mission Specialist Lee Kane in accepting the award on behalf of the company. "Composting and recycling are activities that each team member strives to do well every day on the job, and that makes a tremendous difference to our environment at the end of the day."

MassDEP is working with supermarkets to divert cardboard, organics and other materials from disposal because they are easy to recycle and valuable to recyclers. Organic wastes, for example, can be composted into nutrient-rich soil products. The agency developed the supermarket certification program in partnership with the Massachusetts Food Association (MFA), a trade group. 

Today, more than 135 supermarkets statewide are diverting organic wastes through either composting or use as animal feed, and 62 Massachusetts stores - including Big Y Foods, Hannaford Bros., Roche Bros. and Shaw's Supermarkets, in addition to Whole Foods - have been certified so far. MassDEP hopes to grow that number to at least 100 next year.

During the Canton awards presentation, MFA Vice President Brian Houghton congratulated Whole Foods and the entire supermarket industry for the environmental progress they have made since the program was launched in 2005. 

The Massachusetts WasteWise Awards, sponsored by MassDEP and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are given to companies that demonstrate recycling leadership, sustainability and innovation. The two agencies jointly support the voluntary Massachusetts WasteWise Program, which provides waste reduction assistance to participating businesses and organizations.

Lee Kane (center), Green Mission Specialist for Whole Foods Markets, is presented with a WasteWise Leadership Award by MassDEP Commissioner Laurie Burt (right) and Massachusetts Food Association Vice President Brian Houghton (left) during the WasteWise Forum in Canton.

Mark Buckley (right), vice president of environmental affairs, Staples, Inc., is presented with a WasteWise Leadership Award by MassDEP Commissioner Laurie Burt during the WasteWise Forum in Canton.

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