As Earth Day Approaches, Office Depot, Inc. Personal Shopper Index Uncovers Consumers' Greener Purchasing Priorities and Recycling Habits

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

More than 80 percent of consumers report that recycling is an integral aspect of their daily lives, according to this month's Personal Shopper Index conducted by Office Depot, Inc. ODP, a leading global provider of office products, services, and solutions, which entered into a definitive agreement on February 4, 2015 to be acquired by Staples Inc.

Among these shoppers, more than three-quarters (77 percent) recycle their paper, the third most commonly recycled category after aluminum cans and plastic bottles.

Paper remains by far the most popular eco-conscious product to buy, with two-thirds (66 percent) of consumers listing paper as the eco-conscious product category they 'purchase the most'. The next most commonly purchased product categories were food (9 percent), bags (9 percent) and cleaning products (7 percent).

"The fact that paper is still by far the most popular category that consumers seek in their greener purchasing decisions shows that it remains the 'indicator category' for environmentally preferable purchasing," said Yalmaz Siddiqui, senior director, environmental & supplier diversity strategy for Office Depot, Inc. "As one of the world's largest resellers of recycled office paper this is both an opportunity and a challenge. We need to further educate the marketplace that greener options exist in practically all product categories."

Office Depot offers a wide variety of eco-conscious product categories such as paper, ink and toner, cleaning and breakroom, and promotional products that can be found on the company's GreenerOffice website.

"The challenge for marketers is to help consumers expand the set of products in which they actively seek greener options," said Siddiqui. "Office Depot is taking active steps to increase both awareness of this wider set of products, and of the reality that many greener products actually cost less than non-green alternatives."

Furthermore, Office Depot helps small businesses make conscious decisions to support green practices by providing tips through the Office Depot Business Solutions Center. These initiatives include telecommuting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, changing up office lighting to produce energy savings and fueling employees with proper brain foods and hydration options to minimize wastes.

Survey Methodology/Sample Qualifications

Interviews are conducted online among a nationally representative sample of consumers/personal shoppers who purchase office products primarily for personal use. The wave of interviewing was conducted from March 11-30, 2015 among a total of 503 consumer/personal shoppers. Interviewing will be conducted on a monthly basis in order to track shifts that occur over time.

About Office Depot, Inc.

Office Depot, Inc. is a leading global provider of products, services, and solutions for every workplace – whether your workplace is an office, home, school or car.

Office Depot, Inc. is a resource and a catalyst to help customers work better. We are a single source for everything customers need to be more productive, including the latest technology, core office supplies, print and document services, business services, facilities products, furniture, and school essentials.

The company has annual sales of approximately $16 billion, employs approximately 56,000 associates, and serves consumers and businesses in 56 countries with approximately 1,800 retail stores, award-winning e-commerce sites and a dedicated business-to-business sales organization – all delivered through a global network of wholly owned operations, joint ventures, franchisees, licensees and alliance partners. The company operates under several banner brands including Office Depot, OfficeMax, OfficeMax Grand & Toy, Reliable and Viking. The company's portfolio of exclusive product brands include TUL, Foray, Brenton Studio, Ativa, WorkPro, Realspace and HighMark.

Office Depot, Inc.'s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol ODP. Additional press information can be found at: http://news.officedepot.com.