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2014 Staples Canada Recycle for Education Computer Lab Contest

Recycle4EdFaceBookBannerEN403x403Families and schools get top marks for environmental responsibility, according to a recent study conducted by Staples Canada and Vision Critical. Four out of five Canadian middle school and secondary students gave their peers, families and schools an above-average grade (A+, A or B) for sustainability efforts.

Environmental responsibility is important to almost all Canadian secondary school students (98%). Among those surveyed, 91% said they personally recycle, reusing lunch and grocery bags (62%), and conserve electricity (61%) to help support the environment.

“It’s clear that students across the country care deeply about the environment,” said Steve Matyas, president of Staples Canada. “We feel that Canadian students, our future leaders, should be rewarded for their stewardship and passion. Having the latest technology will not only help them succeed, but will help them connect, share ideas and develop networks of passionate youth who are driven by environmental responsibility.”

Staples Canada, in collaboration with Earth Day Canada, is bringing back the Recycle for Education Computer Lab Contest for the fourth straight year, to recognize students and schools that are doing their part to protect our planet. The contest launches January 6 and runs until February 21, 2014.

“The Staples Canada Recycle for Education Computer Lab Contest recognizes the efforts of students, teachers and administrators in minimizing the environmental impact of their school operations,” said Jed Goldberg, president of Earth Day Canada. “We are proud to partner with Staples Canada on this initiative and look forward to learning how the winning schools will use their new technology to expand their environmental work.”

The contest will offer schools a chance to win one of 10 computer labs valued at $25,000 each by submitting an entry detailing their green efforts. Additional contest details and entry forms are available at staples.ca/recycleforeducation. Winning schools will be announced in early May.

The groups that Canadian students gave passing eco-grades (A+ to B) to are supporting the environment primarily through recycling (93%), reusing lunch and grocery bags (73%), conserving electricity (73%), using alternative transport to cars (62%), using less water (60%), and conserving energy with better air conditioning and heating controls (55%). According to the survey, the top things those receiving poor eco-grades should be doing to support the environment are recycling (50%) and conserving electricity (45%).

To help those in need of a bump in their grade, Staples Canada offers several in-store recycling programs where customers can bring back used batteries, electronics, writing instruments and ink and toner cartridges. Staples Canada also encourages schools across the country to participate in their ink bin program by signing up to receive a free ink cartridge collection bin. Upon filling the bin, Staples Canada collects the contents for recycling, free of charge.

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