Office Depot Wins Environmental Excellence Award

Office Depot has received the Environmental Excellence Award from the U.S. EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership. Office Depot was recognized for its leadership in conserving energy and lowering greenhouse gas emissions from the company’s transportation and freight activities.

In just one year, Office Depot reduced its Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the transport of products to customers and to Office Depot stores by 9.4 percent.
 
Office Depot achieved this reduction in emissions output through a number of initiatives rolled out in 2006. The company ended the year with more than 400 ultra-low-emission Sprinter Vans in its fleet of delivery vehicles. The truck is 40 percent more fuel efficient than larger box trucks and, on average, get an estimated 15 or more miles to the gallon, according to the company.
 
Additionally, Office Depot saved approximately 1.25 million gallons of fuel by using intermodal transportation – combining ships, railroads and trucks – instead of strictly using over-the-road transportation.
 

“Our partnership with SmartWay Transport demonstrates that companies do have the opportunity to implement initiatives that are both environmentally and financially beneficial,” says Mark Cartwright, vice president of transportation for Office Depot. “Through our introduction of a wide range of environmental initiatives, including our fuel-efficient delivery fleet, Office Depot has secured a leadership role in the industry,” he adds.
 
Office Depot is one of 34 companies and organizations from among the Partnerships’ more than 600 partners to receive this distinction. The awards were announced Oct. 25 at the annual conference of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals in Philadelphia.
 
Margo T. Oge, director of EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality, adds: "EPA is pleased to recognize partners with SmartWay Excellence Awards. “The award winners are leading the way toward a cleaner, more efficient transportation future with strategies that reduce emissions and increase profits."

SmartWay was introduced by EPA and a select group of 15 shipping and business leaders in 2004 as an innovative, market-based partnership to reduce fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants from the freight sector.

Information on Office Depot’s emissions reduction initiatives and other environmental programs is available in the company’s “2007 Corporate Citizenship Report” at www.officedepot.com/corporatecitizenship and at www.officedepot.com/environment.