We know that making small, environmentally responsible changes that impact our regular lives, are just as important as making big decisions that affect a whole lot of other people.

By encouraging change in just a few of our daily work habits, we believe we can make a real difference:

@ large

As of 2006 our company-wide paper and cardboard recycling program has recycled over 8.5 million kilograms of material. That’s about 116,168 trees saved from harvesting! We recycled 138,797 kilograms of office paper from our stores, corporate head office and regional offices in 2007 alone, the equivalent of saving about 3,676 trees.

And that’s not all we’re doing.

@ our Corporate Office

Our 140,000 square-foot corporate office houses 1,000 employees, whom we're proud to say have been clear about their commitment to making environmentally-friendly workplace choices.

How are we working with you, toward creating a sustainably waste-free environment?

Reducing and Reusing

• Moving from paper-based pay advices to electronic versions. The department with the highest percentage of employees converted to paperless pay advices "won" an opportunity to donate a total of $12,000 to a green charity of choice. They chose the World Wildlife Fund Canada and to the Tree Canada Foundation.
  
  
• Using non-Styrofoam takeout containers made from Fibreware, which is manufactured from a renewable resource, sugar cane, and is sterilized using UV light instead of chlorine
  
  
• Using environmentally-safe cleaning products and practices, both in the cafeteria and throughout the corporate office
  
  
• Using refillable dispensers for condiments such as sugar and milk, instead of individually-packaged paper or plastic packets
  
  
• Replacing plastic stir sticks with wooden ones
  
  
• Providing reusable drink and food containers, and giving beverage discounts to employees who use them
  
  

Recycling

• Providing Mixed Recycling containers in the cafeteria, kitchenettes and throughout the corporate office, for everything from Tetra-Paks to glass to magazines
  
  
• Using unbleached napkins made from post consumer waste
  
  

@ our stores

Can a warehouse-style store be environmentally-friendly? We think so! Here's what we're doing, with more planned and on the way:

• As of 2008, sixty of our least energy-efficient stores have been upgraded to high efficiency Energy Management Services (EMS) systems which regulate in-store lighting, heating and cooling from a central control location
  
  
• As of 2007, all new Best Buy and Future Shop stores have been fitted with energy-efficient lighting such as LED channel lights and T8 fluorescent lights. With the energy saved to date, we could power 4 average homes for a period of 2 years!
  
  
• Providing consumer recycling drop-boxes for unwanted electronics items, such as cellphones
  
  
• Implementing an Extended Producer Responsibility program, where we work with our business partners to encourage environmentally-friendly practices