Survey: U.S. Employees Prefer Companies That Incorporate Environmentally Friendly Practices In The Workplace

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Dec. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A majority of U.S. workers (64 percent) say that their decision to work for a company or purchase its products are "strongly" or "somewhat" influenced by a company's environmental practices or polices, according to a new survey conducted by Corporate Express US.

Corporate Express US Inc., part of the Dutch-based Corporate Express NV (NYSE: CXP) , is a leading business-to-business supplier in the U.S. of office and computer supplies, office furniture, facility supplies, document and print management, imaging and computer graphic supplies, promotional products and other similar products.

The survey gauged the attitudes and opinions of 7,660 office employees about the increasing trend of U.S. companies to incorporate environmentally friendly practices in the workplace. Respondents hailed from a wide array of industries -- and ranged in position from the CEO level to administrative office assistants. According to the survey, American preferences toward environmental safeguards in the office continue to increase. The survey found that:

    -- Approximately two out of three workers at companies without
       environmental policies would like to see such policies implemented in
       their office
    -- 83 percent of employees would like to see their companies use
       environmentally friendly cleaning chemicals in their offices
    -- Nearly one in three workers say they possess allergies that are
       aggravated by environmental conditions in their offices

Responding to this growing trend, Corporate Express today is introducing a line of environmentally friendly commercial cleaning products nationwide that provide superior performance.

The Sustainable Earth(R) line of commercial cleaning products -- previously available only in the Pacific Northwest through Coastwide Laboratories -- has been proven effective through five years of use by a variety of businesses and organizations. Today's announcement marks the first time the products will be available to companies nationwide under the Corporate Express banner and through the company's extensive U.S. distribution system. Corporate Express acquired Coastwide Laboratories in 2006.

"Corporate Express understands that its customers -- a large percentage of which are engaged in sustainability initiatives of their own -- are seeking

better corporate practices to conduct their business while creating minimal environmental impact," said Jay Mutschler, President of Corporate Express US. "Today, we are proud to announce our new line of Sustainable Earth cleaning products as we demonstrate our commitment to develop products and business solutions that reduce environmental impact while balancing social equity and economic vitality."

According to the survey, demand for environmentally focused products has increased steadily over the past 10 years -- with most respondents (60 percent) reporting that the environmental policies at their companies have been implemented within the last decade. In fact, the trend reflects workers' personal habits at home -- with 78 percent of respondents indicating they recycle at home and 51 percent of respondents indicating they use environmentally friendly cleaning products at home.

With a full repertoire of 14 commercial cleaning products, the Sustainable Earth line provides a company with everything it needs to help reduce harsh chemicals in its office environment. The products meet all facility maintenance needs, from everyday washroom cleaning to larger floor care systems, plus they perform exceptionally well, provide great value and are manufactured with the safety of people and the preservation of the planet in mind.

"I used to feel the term 'green' had a negative connotation to it," said Dan Koenig of Portland's Tri-Met Transportation District, which began using Sustainable Earth products in all its facilities in 2002. "I always shied away from green products because, in my 15 years of experience, green products typically didn't work that well. But I would tell people today to reserve an opinion until they've tried Sustainable Earth products. They really get the job done."

According to Koenig, the Sustainable Earth products have reduced his district's chemical costs by approximately 70 percent by switching from traditional commercial cleaners to the Sustainable Earth line, therefore reducing the number of chemical products the district needs to purchase to perform the same jobs.

As part of its ongoing environmental effort, Corporate Express has built the Corporate Express Research & Testing Laboratory near its corporate headquarters outside of Denver. At the laboratory, Corporate Express scientists conduct product research and development that will lead to innovative new sustainable and environmentally preferred office products, as well as work to certify products in accordance with a variety of certifications, including Green Seal and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Design for the Environment program. Many of the products in the Sustainable Earth line are currently certified by both of these programs.

The Sustainable Earth products recently received top industry recognition from ISSA, the Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, by being awarded the ISSA Innovation Award. The ISSA Innovation Award Program brings together the newest cleaning product releases each year at the ISSA tradeshow. The full Sustainable Earth line won in the Most Innovative Green Products category, recognizing Sustainable Earth as a truly, innovative way to clean facilities.

The Sustainable Earth product line is currently available exclusively through Corporate Express.

About Corporate Express

Corporate Express provides customers with a single source of business products and services, so that they can focus their resources, energy and time on their core business. Corporate Express helps organizations to save time and maximize their productivity.

Headquartered in the Netherlands, Corporate Express NV generated 2006 annual sales of EUR 6.3 billion. The Company has a widespread global distribution network spanning North America, Europe and Australia, has close to 19,000 employees, and operations in 20 countries. Corporate Express NV is listed on Euronext Amsterdam (Euronext: CXP) and in New York (NYSE: CXP) . For

more information, please visit http://www.CorporateExpress.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements included in this press release, which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are made based upon management's expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting Corporate Express and therefore involve a number of uncertainties and risks, including, but not limited to industry conditions, changes in product supply, pricing and customer demand, competition, risks in integrating new businesses, currency fluctuations, and the other risks described from time to time in the Company's filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2007. As a result, the actual results of operations or financial conditions of the Company could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Shareholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements.