Developer MK Real Estate Group to Pursue LEED Certification for
Staples Biscayne Blvd. Store
MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 24, 2007--Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS),
the world's largest office products company, along with the City of
Miami and MK Real Estate Group, will host a groundbreaking event for
Miami's first green retail building registered with the U.S. Green
Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED). The event will take place at the Staples store building site
located at 2121 Biscayne Boulevard, on Fri., Sept. 28 at 11 a.m.,
where Mayor Manny Diaz and Staples Regional Vice President Royce Reed
will celebrate the City's progress in sustaining its future through
eco-friendly practices.
"Building green is smart growth and with partners like Staples,
the City of Miami can achieve its goal of becoming a model city for
sustainable living," said Miami Mayor Manny Diaz.
MK Real Estate Group is building the 2121 Biscayne Boulevard
Staples store in compliance with LEED silver certification standards.
If accomplished, this building will be the first LEED-certified retail
store in the City of Miami, and the first store of its kind for
Staples.
The store's green design will help:
-- Improve energy performance and reduce "heat island effect"
contributing to higher city temperatures through a highly
reflective roofing system;
-- Reduce the strain on municipal water and Florida aquifer
reserves by collecting rainwater through rooftop gutter
systems and installing waterless urinals and low-flow toilets;
-- Preserve non-renewable, virgin resources by using drywall,
steel, concrete, bathroom partitions, carpet and parking stops
made from recycled materials;
-- Protect and restore habitats by landscaping with 100 percent
native plants and shrubs;
-- Encourage alternative transportation by installing bike racks
and showers;
-- Lead recycling efforts by having on-site recycling for paper,
plastic, glass, and cardboard, in addition to computer,
electronics and ink cartridge recycling offered by Staples
stores every day.
"It's wonderful to see a company like Staples making a commitment
to green building," said Tom Hicks, vice president of LEED, U.S. Green
Building Council. "Green buildings are environmentally responsible,
healthier for the building's users and employees and are more
profitable structures."
LEED certification is a voluntary independent green building
rating system. Buildings meeting LEED standards minimize negative
environmental impacts and maximize energy efficiency and
sustainability. Criteria evaluated for LEED certification include
sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials
and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design
process.
"Staples is committed to sustainable business practices throughout
our organization, and we make it easy for customers to make a
difference for the environment - what we call EcoEasy," said Royce
Reed, regional vice president of sales and operations for Staples
stores in South Florida. "Sustainable building design helps us
conserve natural resources, reduce waste and create a healthier
environment for our local communities. It's also good, smart business.
When completed, the 2121 Biscayne Staples will make it easy for
customers to get the office products and services they need, including
many eco-friendly products and recycling offerings."
Building a green store in South Florida is one of Staples many
eco-friendly practices, which also include recycling, offering a wide
assortment of eco-friendly products, investing in energy efficiency
and renewable energy and educating customers and associates about
sustainability. Through its EcoEasy commitment, Staples makes it easy
for customers to make a difference for the environment by offering
more than 2,900 recycled-content products and providing everyday,
in-store recycling for computers, office technology, personal
electronics and ink and toner cartridges. For more on Staples
environmental initiatives, please visit www.staples.com/ecoeasy.
"We are very pleased to be a part of both Staples' and the Mayor's
commitment to green initiatives by building a store that will continue
to provide long-term economic, social and environmental benefits,"
says Bill Biondi, president of MK Real Estate Group. "Our goal is to
provide a healthy environment for Staples and the surrounding
neighborhood for years to come."
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 1,900 office superstores and also serves
its customers through mail order catalog, e-commerce and contract
businesses. More information is available at www.staples.com.
CONTACT: Gordon Reyes & Co.
Seth Gordon, 305-381-8831
C: 305-322-3121
seth@gordonreyes.com
or
For Staples, Inc.
Nikisha Williams, 305-572-1387
C: 305-725-0526
nwilliams@golinharris.com
SOURCE: Staples, Inc.
