Kinko's Honors Branches for Environmental Efforts

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Kinko's Honors Branches for Environmental Efforts

Second Annual Award Highlights Kinko's Dedication to the Environment, Including a Wide Range of Nationwide Initiatives

CALIFORNIA, VENTURA, Apr. 19 -/E-Wire/-- As part of the company's ongoing commitment to care for the environment, Kinko's, Inc. honored three of its branches with the company's "2nd Annual U.S. Environmental Branch of the Year" award.

Kinko's University branch in Arcata, Calif. took top honors for the second consecutive year. Pittsburgh's Greentree location and the Scottsdale, Ariz. Civic Center store were first and second runners-up, respectively. The company recognized ten branches in all for their hard work and the resulting benefit to the environment.

"At Kinko's, we point with pride to how we care for our environment. In fact, it's part of our Company Philosophy, which forms the foundation of how we do business," said Scott Seay, chief of field of operations for Kinko's. "I would like to personally thank all of our award-winning co-workers for their hard work and dedication to upholding Kinko's values and helping the environment."

The top ten was rounded out (in order) by branches in Van Nuys, Calif.; the Pacific Avenue branch in Olympia, Wash.; West Akron in Fairlawn, Ohio; Ventura, Calif.; Fountain Square in Cincinnati, Ohio; and, tied for ninth, the Downtown branch in Orlando, Fla. and Kearny Mesa in San Diego, Calif.

The "U.S. Environmental Branch of the Year" award recognizes outstanding branches for their commitment to caring for the environment and stewardship of the natural resources required by Kinko's every day. The competition is judged based on criteria that measure superior, environmentally friendly performance in employing energy conservation technologies, utilizing recycled materials, eliminating the generation of waste, recycling waste streams that are generated, and implementing in-branch and community-based environmental outreach programs.

Winning Ways Each top branch implements Kinko's nationwide programs and goes above and beyond. Kinko's "U.S. Environmental Branch of the Year" in Arcata, Calif. has caught the attention of the local and environmental communities. Supplier Kirk Paper recognizes the branch as one of its largest buyers of 100 percent post-consumer recycled chlorine-free paper. The branch also received a grant from the Humboldt Area Foundation to help further heighten customer awareness and to increase the availability of chlorine-free paper. In addition, many branch co-workers participate in a local "Adopt a Beach" program and other local conservation efforts.

"It's such an honor to again be selected as Kinko's 'Environmental Branch of the Year.' Earth Day comes once a year, but Kinko's Philosophy and our Environmental Vision Statement encourage all of us to consider the environment everyday as we work to exceed our customers expectations today and into the future," said Liz Finney, Kinko's Arcata branch manager.

At Pittsburgh's Greentree branch, co-workers have established strong relationships with two local schools. Through these relationships, the branch has found uses for "waste" materials like unsold single-side copies, paper trimmings, roll cores and plastic inserts found at the center of oversized paper rolls, as well as the plastic inserts on the inside of the cash register tapes.

A number of Kinko's co-workers at the Scottsdale, Ariz. Civic Center location volunteered their own time to work on beautification projects within disadvantaged areas of the community as part of the Phoenix-area "Make a Difference" day.

The winning and first runner-up prizes include donations in the name of the Arcata and Greentree branches to purchase renewable energy "Green Tags," vouchers that support the generation of air pollution-free renewable energy from a wind farm in Madison, N.Y. Each winning branch received a contribution to its co-worker fund, and winning co-workers receive Kinko's "Green Team" T-shirts made out of organically grown cotton.

Kinko's â Caring for the Environment Nationwide Reducing the company's impact on the environment is natural for Kinko's, which was founded in 1970 â the same year as the first Earth Day celebration was held. Kinko's Environmental Vision Statement identifies the environmental performance targets the company aims for as it serves customers.

Kinko's nationwide strides in reducing its environmental impact include the following areas:

* Buying Renewable Energy. Kinko's now purchases renewable energy in ten states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Washington. As a result, Kinko's was able to purchase approximately six percent of its energy demand in 2000 from renewable energy sources such as solar arrays, windmill farms and geothermal plants.

* Reducing Energy Use. Kinko's has retrofitted 99 percent of its U.S. branches with energy-efficient lighting in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Green Lights program. Whenever possible, Kinko's also uses computers, fax machines, printers, copiers and other equipment that is compliant with the EPA's Energy Star program.

* Offering Recycled and Alternative Papers. Kinko's stocks its equipment with paper containing post-consumer recycled fiber at no additional cost to consumers, and the company recently switched its standard paper in the full-service production area to 10 percent post-consumer recycled content. Since 1999, Kinko's has stocked its self-serve black-and-white copiers with 30 percent post-consumer content recycled paper. Additional recycled and alternative papers are available upon request in the full-service areas, up to and including 100 percent post-consumer content recycled, "tree free" and chlorine-free paper. Kinko's also gives a discount for double-sided copies to encourage customers to conserve paper when possible.

* Minimizing Waste. The company requires the recycling of paper and cardboard, and implements programs for plastics, aluminum, glass and other materials where these recycling services are available. Kinko's also works extensively with copying and printing equipment suppliers to ensure that they develop and continue product take back/recycling programs for reusable consumable supplies.

About Kinko's Kinko's is the world's leading provider of visual communications services and document copying. Its global network of more than 1,100 digitally connected locations offers 24-hour access to technology for color printing, finishing and presentation services, Internet access, videoconferencing and Web-based on-demand printing and document management solutions. Named for the third consecutive year as one of Fortune's 100 best companies to work for in America, Kinko's is a privately held corporation with more than 25,000 co-workers and locations in nine countries. Its headquarters is located in Ventura, Calif. For more information, go to http://www.kinkos.com.

http://www.kinkos.com

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