MEDIA RELEASE 23 NOVEMBER 2006

As more and more companies discover the value of environmental responsibility in the marketplace, business products supplier Corporate Express sees the approach as a valuable asset to market.

Brian Rosenberg, Executive General Manager for Corporate Express in New Zealand, said the company’s environmental programs are among their highest corporate priorities today.

“By taking responsibility for environmental practices within the company and for the products we source, we remain a valued business partner to our suppliers and customers who are seeking to be sustainable while remaining economically viable,” Mr Rosenberg said.

“As an important link in the chain, we see ourselves in a unique position to influence the behaviour of manufacturers and create awareness for buyers and to take a leadership position on sustainability.

“As a supplier, we are looking closely at ‘changing behaviour’ for businesses by getting them to consider the environment. The challenge for customers is obtaining accurate information and understanding the effect their buying choices will have on the environment,” he said.

In partnership with Paperlinx Office, Corporate Express offers customers office paper made from fibre sourced from plantations and forestry operations which are managed in a sustainable way.

“Our sales growth in environmental products has demonstrated that customers are prepared to support these products and manufacturers that meet environmental responsibility standards.

“Our fastest growing copy paper last year was Australian-Made recycled paper. This paper helps to reduce landfill by providing a closed loop solution from waste to product which genuinely improves our local environment and supports Close Economic Relations (CER)” he said.

Corporate Express was awarded the Environmental Choice label for its EXP Green 50 percent Recycled paper in November 2005, and is also a Reseller of Reflex 50 percent, which is currently the only other paper with this accreditation.

Corporate Express also offers the EXP brand of premium OEM equivalent toner cartridges, which are manufactured using up to 20 times less energy than equivalent new cartridges.

“Our EarthSaver-branded products do not harm the environment while in use, contain a specific percentage of recycled materials in the original manufacture and are manufactured using environmentally friendly practices and procedures and are biodegradable or recyclable at the end of their life,” Mr Rosenberg said.

“We have also forged alliances with other organisations such as Cartridge Rescue (formerly The Recycling Centre) the Sustainable Business Network and their Get-Sustainable Challenge and the Ministry for the Environment runs the Govt3 program,” he said.

Corporate Express first opened their doors in Christchurch in 1995 and is now located in six centres across New Zealand. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Corporate Express Australia Limited which listed on the ASX in January 1995 and a leading Trans Tasman single source supplier of non-production goods and services to the office with revenues exceeding NZ$1billion

Corporate Express offers office and computer supplies, IT solutions, print services, furniture, promotional marketing services, janitorial supplies and kitchen supplies.

Corporate Express can be contacted on 0 800 800 547 and the website is www.cenz.co.nz.

For further information please call Kim Larochelle or Nicola Rutzou on (02) 9413 4244.