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Mile High Million Initiative Raises $10,000 from Staples Shopping Event
December 12, 2007
Staples Donation Results in New Trees for Denver-area Communities
(DENVER) Greenprint Denver and Staples today announced a $10,000 donation to Tree by Tree - Mile High Million to be used for planting trees in nine metro Denver communities. To help raise the funds, 10 area Staples stores donated $1 of every purchase on Dec. 9 and 10.
"Staples really has made it easy for us to progress toward our goal of planting a million trees in metro Denver by 2025," said Sara Davis, program coordinator for Tree by Tree - Mile High Million, a Greenprint Denver initiative. "This program is essential for promoting Colorado's environmental and economic sustainability, and we are grateful to have partners like Staples who help us continue to grow."
Since the Tree by Tree - Mile High Million initiative launched in April 2007, more than 67,000 trees have been planted in participating Colorado cities. Staples' $10,000 donation will provide funds for nine communities - Denver, Boulder, Glendale, Highlands Ranch, Longmont, Littleton, Parker, Westminster and Golden - to purchase additional trees to plant in the spring. Studies show that trees help control erosion, prevent water runoff, provide natural cooling and reduce greenhouse gases that cause global warming.
"Staples is committed to making it easy for our customers to make a difference for the environment - what we call EcoEasy," said Mark Buckley, vice president of environmental affairs at Staples. "We're proud to support Greenprint Denver in its mission to build a more sustainable Denver."
Greenprint Denver encourages residents to plant trees in their communities and offers a list of 44 trees that are well suited to Colorado's climate at www.greenprintdenver.org/trees. Additionally, Greenprint Denver encourages all Denver metro residents to "make your tree count" by calling (720) 913-1311 to register over the phone or registering it online at www.denvergov.org/MileHighMillionForm. Tree registering is free and is used to track the number of trees planted in the one million-tree goal.
The 10 Staples stores that participated in the program include:
- 29th Street Mall, Boulder
- Hampden Ave. & Monaco Pkwy., Denver
- S. Colorado Blvd. & E. Kentucky Ave., Glendale
- S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch
- Harvest Junction North (Hwy. 119 & Hwy. 287), Longmont
- Wadsworth Blvd. & Bowles Ave., Littleton
- S. Kipling Pkwy. & W. Chatfield Ave., Littleton (Jefferson Marketplace)
- Parker Rd. & Hilltop Rd., Parker
- W. 120th Ave. & Sheridan Blvd., Westminster
- W. Colfax & 6th Ave. Expressway, Golden
Staples' long-standing commitment to sustainable business practices is based on four key environmental cornerstones: recycling, offering a wide assortment of more than 2,900 eco-friendly products, investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy and educating customers and associates about sustainability. For more on Staples environmental initiatives, visit www.staples.com/environment.
Staples' work with Greenprint Denver is one of the company's many community initiatives in Denver. Since 2007, Staples has donated over $98,000 in monetary support to non-profit organization like the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver, the Denver Public Schools Foundation and Front Range Earth Force.
About Tree by Tree - Mile High Million
The million-tree initiative aims to facilitate sustainability and improve our natural surroundings by tripling the region's tree canopy from six to 18 percent. Studies have shown that trees help reduce greenhouse gases that cause global warming, control erosion, prevent water runoff and provide natural cooling to buildings and pavement. Trees also yield economic benefits such as lower energy bills, reduced noise and higher property values, as well as social benefits such as reduced crime, higher test scores and faster hospital recovery times. Just as importantly, they help beautify neighborhoods.
About Greenprint Denver
Founded in the City and County of Denver's history of environmental innovation, Greenprint Denver is a long-term, citywide initiative led by Mayor John Hickenlooper to promote the importance of sustainable development and ecologically friendly practices throughout the community through cooperation with metro-area government officials, businesses and residents. Greenprint Denver will establish the city as a regional leader in the global effort to meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future. Incorporated into Greenprint Denver is a comprehensive action agenda that identifies city practices and policies that can support environmental health, economic opportunity and smart growth strategies over time.
About Staples
Staples, Inc. invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and today is the world's largest office products company. With 74,000 talented associates, the company is committed to making it easy to buy a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology, furniture, and business services. With 2006 sales of $18.2 billion, Staples serves consumers and businesses ranging from home-based businesses to Fortune 500 companies in 22 countries throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates more than 2,000 office superstores and also serves its customers through mail order catalog, e-commerce and contract businesses. More information is available at www.staples.com.
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Media Contacts
Sara Davis
Denver Parks and Recreation
(720) 913-0631
Cara Harshberger
Schenkein
(303) 292-6655
