Third Annual Contest Highlights Kinko's Dedication to the Environment, Including a Wide Range of Nationwide Initiatives DALLAS, April 17 - Just in time for Earth Day, Kinko's, Inc. today announced winners of its "Third Annual U.S. Environmental Branch of the Year" competition, part of Kinko's ongoing commitment to care for the environment. Kinko's recognized ten stores for their work upholding Kinko's high environmental standards. Kinko's Eugene, Ore. location took top honors for 2001. San Francisco's Richmond District and Kansas City, Kan. Mission locations were first and second runners-up, respectively. Top spots also went, in order, to: Salem, Ore.; Columbus, Ohio West Broad Street; Kent, Ohio Campus Center; Tualatin, Ore.; Davis, Calif.; Arcata, Calif.; San Marcos, Calif. "Doing our part to protect the environment and educate our customers is an integral part of Kinko's culture," said Gary Kusin, Kinko's president and chief executive officer. "This year's winners provide great examples of how environmental stewardship is a top -- and growing -- priority for Kinko's across our network of more than 20,000 team members and 1,100 locations." Winning Ways Kinko's U.S. Environmental Branch of the Year award recognizes outstanding locations for their commitment to caring for the environment and acting as responsible stewards of the natural resources required by Kinko's and its customers every day. The competition is judged on superior performance inenergy conservation, using recycled materials, eliminating waste, recycling waste streams, and participation in local environmental outreach programs. Some unique environmental characteristics of the top three branches included the following: Located at 1265 Willamette St. in Eugene, Ore., Kinko's U.S. Environmental Branch of the Year is one of Kinko's largest promoters of recycled paper. The branch routinely stocks its self-serve black-and-white copiers with chlorine- free, 100 percent post consumer content recycled paper -- an upgrade from Kinko's nationwide requirement to stock paper with 30 percent post-consumer recycled content. The branch educates customers about this environmentally- improved option by posting signs on both the paper drawer and the top of the machine. The store celebrated Earth Day 2001 by offering half-price copies on the 100 percent recycled paper and also won third place in the category for businesses of its size in the Eugene Commute Challenge, a citywide competition measuring the total number of workers commuting to work using alternative transportation. "It's such an honor to be selected as Kinko's Environmental Branch of the Year," said Darren Andreason, Kinko's Eugene, Ore. branch manager. "Kinko's management and Environmental Vision Statement encourage all of us to consider the environment on a daily basis, not just once a year. This is one of the many reasons why I feel enormous pride to be part of Kinko's and this winning team." Kinko's San Francisco Richmond District store is also a large promoter of Kinko's 100 percent recycled, chlorine-free paper. Availability of this paper in self-serve copiers has attracted new customers from all over San Francisco and surrounding counties. They are also an avid user of Kinko's Cash for Trash program. This program allows Kinko's branches to recycle used print cartridges and to turn what was once a waste into a new revenue stream for the branch. In addition, they support a number of local community non-profit organizations including Redwoods Forever. The Kansas City Mission location is Kinko's top performer in the Cash for Trash print cartridge-recycling program, resulting in its high ranking. The branch even extended its cartridge recycling program to invite some of its commercial customers and walk-in customers to bring in their cartridges. The winning and first runner-up prizes include donations in the name of the Eugene and San Francisco 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 also receives a contribution to its team member fund, and winning team members receive Kinko's "Green Team" T-shirts and hats made out of 100 percent organically grown cotton. Kinko's -- Caring for the Environment Nationwide Reducing the company's impact on the environment is natural for Kinko's, which was founded in 1970 -- 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 12 states totaling nearly 5 million kilowatt hours. That's roughly the energy needed to power 500 American households. * Reducing Energy Use. Kinko's has retrofitted almost all 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. Kinko's full-service production machines offer 10 percent post-consumer content recycled paper at no additional cost to consumers. Its self-serve black-and-white copiers are filled with paper containing 30 percent post-consumer fiber. 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 as well as participating in recycling programs for plastics, aluminum, glass and other materials where available. Kinko's also works closely with copying and printing equipment suppliers to ensure that they develop and continue product take back/recycling programs for reusable consumable supplies.