Staples Canada to award 10 eco schools $25,000 worth of technology

The Staples Superpower your School Contest in collaboration with Earth Day Canada challenges students and teachers to "ecovate"

TORONTO, Jan. 5, 2015 /CNW/ - Ten publicly-funded schools across the country will each receive $25,000 worth of new technology from Staples Canada. Eco schools that are focused on the environment are invited to enter the contest at Staples.ca/PowerEco and share their eco initiatives for a chance to win. The Staples Superpower your School Contest starts January 5, 2015 and runs until January 31, 2015.

"We know that schools and students are very passionate about the environment. To us, they are "ecovators" - a term recognizing the superheroes who innovate to make a difference on the environment," said Steve Matyas, president of Staples Canada. "Our goal is to empower schools by giving them the power to learn using the latest technology."

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

• Excerpts from the 2014 winning school entries
• A step-by-step entry guide
• A set of frequently asked questions

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

"We're excited to partner with Staples Canada to inspire and reward the innovative and creative environmental work taking place in schools across Canada," said Deb Doncaster, president of Earth Day Canada. "Earth Day Canada's participation helps ensure that the contest reaches as many schools as possible, and provides support throughout the judging process."

The contest, previously known as the Staples Canada Recycle for Education Computer Lab Contest, is now in its fifth year and has awarded 40 eco schools the latest technology to empower students to learn and nurture their passion for the environment.

About Staples 
Staples 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 or on mobile devices. Staples offers more products than ever, such as technology, facilities and breakroom supplies, furniture, safety supplies, medical supplies, and Copy and Print services. Headquartered outside of Boston in the United States with offices in Toronto, Canada, Staples operates throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.  More information about Staples SPLS is available at www.staples.com and www.staples.ca. 

About Earth Day Canada
Earth Day Canada (EDC), a national environmental charity founded in 1990, provides Canadians with the practical knowledge and tools they need to lessen their impact on the environment. In 2004, it was recognized as the top environmental education organization in North America for its innovative year-round programs and educational resources by the Washington-based North American Association for Environmental Education, the world's largest association of environmental educators. In 2008, it was chosen as Canada's "Outstanding Non-profit Organization" by the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication. EDC regularly partners with thousands of organizations in all parts of Canada. To donate to Earth Day Canada, please visit www.earthday.ca/donate.

SOURCE Staples Canada Inc.