The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized HanesBrands and Staples for their sustainability accomplishments. Both companies received the EPA’s Energy Star Partner of the Year—Sustained Excellence Award for continued success in energy conservation, carbon emissions reduction and environmental sustainability. Hanesbrands participates in the promotional products industry as suppliers Hanes/Champion/ComfortWash (PPAI 191138) and Alternative Apparel (PPAI 217134), while Staples operates in the industry as distributor Staples Promotional Products (PPAI 108945).
Energy Star was introduced by the EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased efficiency. The highest honor among Energy Star Awards is the Energy Star Partner of the Year—Sustained Excellence Award. The EPA presents the Sustained Excellence Award to partners that have already received Energy Star Partner of the Year recognition for a minimum of two consecutive years and have gone above and beyond the criteria needed to qualify for recognition. Winners are drawn from small, family-owned businesses to Fortune 500 organizations and represent energy-efficient products, services, new homes and buildings in the commercial, industrial and public sectors.
“We’re celebrating a decade of environmental excellence with the honor of a 2019 Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award because HanesBrands’ 68,000 worldwide employees have embraced environmental stewardship and actively led our energy management initiatives,” says Mike Faircloth, group president, global supply chain, information technology and e-commerce for HanesBrands. “And we’re very proud to remain the only apparel company to earn sustained excellence honors in the EPA Energy Star program’s 27-year history.”
Bob Valair, energy and environmental services, Staples, says, “It is an honor to receive this award for our energy efficiency efforts throughout the past decades. Our team works hard every day to conserve energy and make a difference in the environment. Through best practices and innovation, we save on energy and water, and we benefit from renewables making a positive impact for our customers and our associates.”
EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Bill Wehrum adds, “I applaud the 2019 Energy Star Award winners. Their innovation and leadership enhance America’s economic competitiveness. Reducing costly energy waste improves air quality and public health while protecting the environment.”
