Attention ecovators: Superpower your School Contest is back and accepting entries

Environmentally conscious schools have a chance to win $20,000 worth of new technology from Staples Canada

RICHMOND HILL, ON, Dec. 1, 2017 /CNW/ - Staples Canada and Earth Day Canada have issued a call for entries for the annual Superpower your School Contest. Environmentally conscious elementary and secondary schools across Canada are invited to enter the contest for a chance to win one of 10 prizes of $20,000 in new technology from Staples.

From now until January 31, 2018, schools can share their eco-initiatives and submit entries through the contest website at Staples.ca/PowerEco.

"We were blown away by the ten innovative, resourceful and inspiring schools who won the contest last year," said Mary Sagat, Chief Executive Officer of Staples Canada. "Through this contest, we hope to help schools get access to new technologies to enhance and support learning. We can't wait to read all the great entries from schools this year. The stories of environmentalism get more sophisticated each year ? it's incredible to see the progress some schools are making."

The contest is now in its eighth year and to date has awarded 80 environmentally conscious schools the latest technology to empower students to learn and nurture their passion for the environment.

To help schools prepare entries, Staples has assembled a series of resources, including:

• A step-by-step entry guide
• A set of frequently asked questions
• Excerpts from the 2017 winning school entries

The contest is held in collaboration with Earth Day Canada, a national charity that works directly with thousands of schools to provide environmental resources and support.

"We're thrilled to be working again with Staples Canada to inspire innovative approaches to stewardship and reward the initiatives happening in schools across the country," said Deb Doncaster, President of Earth Day Canada. "As environmental awareness grows, it has been wonderful to see school communities engaged in positive action ? we can't wait to find out what this year's participants have in store."

Staples helps schools make a difference
Staples is committed to helping schools make a difference by offering several recycling programs:

• Canada School Recycling Program: Every year 300 million ink cartridges end up in North American landfills. Staples encourages schools across the country to participate in this program by signing up to receive a free ink cartridge collection bin. For details and to register for a free ink bin visit www.canadaschoolrecycling.ca
• Battery Recycling: Staples partners with Call2Recycle to offer a used battery (rechargeable and single use) recycling program in all Staples stores. Schools are invited to collect batteries, hold collection events and encourage all students to bring in used household batteries to reduce the amount of electronic waste in landfills. Drop off the batteries collected at any Staples store.
• Writing Instruments: Staples partners with TerraCycle® to collect and recycle used writing instruments. Schools are encouraged to bring in used writing instruments to any Staples store and help provide a second life to these writing instruments by turning them into upcycled and recycled products such as park benches, waste bins and more.
• Electronics Recycling: In an effort to divert eight million pounds of electronic waste from landfills annually, Staples has partnered with eCycle Solutions to offer an electronics drop-off program. Recyclable items accepted include PDAs, cell phones, computers, computer parts and more. To view a complete list of collection sites and accepted recyclable hardware, visit www.staples.ca/environment

Join the Conversation
Follow Staples Canada on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and join the conversation using #PowerEco.

About Earth Day Canada
Celebrated every year on April 22, Earth Day is the largest environmental event in the world. Earth Day Canada is a national charity that inspires and supports people across the country to connect with nature and build resilient communities. It leads an annual Earth Day campaign in conjunction with year-round, award-winning programs that get people outside, interacting with the environment ? this, in turn, fosters an intrinsically motivated, enduring commitment to stewardship and conservation. EDC works with children and youth through its EcoKids and EarthPLAY programs focused on putting outdoor play back into the lives of children by addressing play provision in schools, parks, streets and community green spaces. Visit earthday.ca for more information, or visit us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Staples Canada/Bureau en Gros
Staples Canada/Bureau en Gros makes it easy to make more happen with more products and more ways to shop. Through its world-class retail, online and delivery capabilities, Staples lets customers shop however and whenever they want, whether it's in-store, online, on mobile devices, or through the company's buy online, pick up in store option. Staples is dedicated to offering customers the highest level of service, with more products than ever, including technology, facilities and breakroom supplies, furniture, safety supplies, medical supplies, and Print and Marketing services. The company also invests in a number of corporate giving programs that actively support environmental, educational and entrepreneurial initiatives in Canadian communities from coast to coast. Visit www.staples.ca for more information, or visit us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

SOURCE Staples Canada Inc.