Benefits News: Office Depot Survey: Majority of Small Businesses Plan to Go Greener in 2016

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE) -- According to a survey conducted by Office Depot, Inc. (NASDAQ:ODP), a leading global provider of office products, services, and solutions, through its Office Depot and OfficeMax brands, 51 percent of small businesses (SMBs) are looking to go greener in 2016. This is a significant increase from 2013, when only 34 percent of SMBs expressed interest in doing so.

The latest Office Depot Small Business Index also indicated that 67 percent of SMBs cite concern for the environment as the leading motivation to pursue green initiatives.

“If a majority of small businesses say they are committed to going greener, perhaps we have reached a tipping point in the environmental sustainability movement,” said Yalmaz Siddiqui, senior director of sustainability for Office Depot, Inc. ”For decades environmentalism has felt like a niche idea, but when you get to 51 percent, that’s the definition of majority.”

Siddiqui notes, however, that there still remains a dichotomy between those who go greener to save money and those who do not go greener because of perceived costs.

“There’s still an ongoing misperception among some SMBs, that going green always costs more,” said Siddiqui. “In reality, by thinking strategically about how to go green, smart SMBs can use green initiatives to drive short term savings and long term value.”

Office Depot and OfficeMax have been working to change perceptions about the economics of going greener. Starting with large businesses and government agencies, the company has grown sales of eco-conscious products from $1.2 Billion in 2005 to $3.2 Billion in 2015. With over 30 percent of the company’s sales from eco-conscious products, mainly to larger organizations, the next stage in driving penetration of greener purchasing is among small businesses; starting with helping them get over long-held, but often inaccurate perceptions – about the cost of going greener.

To view content or to learn more about small business products and services please visit Office Depot’s Business Solutions Center at solutions.officedepot.com.

Survey Methodology/Sample Qualifications

Interviews are conducted via the Internet among a nationally representative sample of small and medium-sized businesses. The March wave of interviewing was conducted from March 8, 2016 to March 31, 2016 among a total of 813 small and medium-sized businesses. 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 $14 billion, employs approximately 49,000 associates, and serves consumers and businesses in 59 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, franchisees, licensees and alliance partners. The company operates under several banner brands including Office Depot, OfficeMax, Grand & Toy, 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.

Office Depot, Inc.
Sarah England, 561-438-1448
[email protected]