Office Depot supports green procurement across 7 US cities

By Rikki Stancich

Office Depot supports green procurement across 7 US cities

Office Depot, provider of office supplies and services, will provide funding for four cities to launch Green Business Challenge programs. This adds to five existing programs in Chicago, Austin, Bellevue, Chula Vista and the Triangle J region funded by Office Depot in partnership with ICLEI–Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI USA).

The Green Business Challenge, led by city leaders, encourages local businesses to participate in a friendly competition to save energy and money, reduce waste and water consumption and procure greener products.

The program was first piloted in 2010 as the City of Chicago’s “Green Office Challenge.” Round 2 of the Challenge collectively saved over 124 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and more than 85,000 metric tons of carbon emissions.

“The Challenge helps local governments reach their energy and climate goals, and helps businesses save money, make their operations more efficient, and receive recognition for going green,” said Michael Schmitz, ICLEI USA Executive Director. It “reflects the reality that environmental improvement doesn’t have to come at the expense of economic performance,” he added.

The four new cities will be selected and announced later in 2013 and Office Depot will provide each with a “Green Business Challenge Implementation Pack. This includes cash, in-kind support, and training/technical support through ICLEI, as well as a customized Green Business Challenge software tool.

Support for the Green Business Challenge is a small part of Office Depot’s sustainability commitment. Last year, Office Depot Europe hit a 91 percent recycling rate and grew greener product sales to over €300 million.

Across the pond, its North American operations reached a milestone 10,000 products with environmental attributes; reduced an absolute carbon footprint from facilities by over 11 percent for the third consecutive year; and increased sales of FSC certified papers by over 75 percent.