Office Depot Introduces Innovative Solar Bags That Are Ideal for Eco-Minded Professionals and Students

Office Depot (NYSE:ODP), a leading global provider of office products and services, announced the launch and availability of Voltaic Solar Charging Messenger Bags and Backpacks. Office Depot is the only office supply superstore to offer this innovative and environmentally-preferable product option. Voltaic bags are available at www.officedepot.com as well as on Office Depot’s green website www.officedepot.com/buygreen. "By adding new environmentally-preferable office products with attributes beyond recycled content to our assortment, Office Depot is helping to redefine ‘green’ in the industry,” said Barbara Pizzella, Vice President of Merchandising for Office Depot. "The Voltaic Solar Messenger Bag is one more example of Office Depot continuing to offer innovative and solution-oriented products.” The Voltaic Solar Charging Bags and Backpacks feature three lightweight, waterproof solar panels that generate up to four watts of power – enough energy to charge nearly any handheld electronic device. By carrying a solar charging bag, business professionals, students and travelers now have the ability to charge their mobile devices with renewable power on-the-go and unplug from the electricity grid. Applicable electronic devices include: blackberry devices, MP3 players, digital cameras, two-way radios, PDAs and nearly all brands of cell phones. Office Depot carries three products in the assortment: Voltaic™ Converter Solar Charging Bag: Use the Voltaic converter as a standalone daypack, or easily attach it to another bag utilizing the included fastek buckles. The bag is fully padded to carry and protect a notebook computer and includes a lined MP3/sunglasses pouch. It features high-density padding in the shoulder straps and back panel for all-day comfort, and can be worn as a backpack or a sling bag. Voltaic™ Messenger Solar Charging Bag: The Voltaic solar bag is a mobile solar power generator designed to charge handheld electronic devices without a power outlet. This bag is ideal for the professional or businessperson traveling to the office and/or going on a short business trip. Voltaic™ Solar Charging Backpack: The spacious Voltaic Backpack has 1,850 cubic inches of storage space, including multiple pockets and wire channels for your electronic devices. It features high-density padding in the shoulder straps and back panel for all-day comfort, and nylon mesh backing for better air flow. It also includes an adjustable phone/MP3 pouch on the shoulder strap, a padded laptop sleeve, and a lined pouch inside. This backpack is ideal for a weekend hiking trip or to use as a large daypack. Beyond providing energy-savings, Voltaic Solar Charging Messenger Bags and Backpacks are also made largely from recycled plastic soda bottles. The bags and backpacks are priced from $179.99 to $219.99. The Voltaic Solar Messenger products join a wide assortment of more than 4,000 environmentally-preferable products that Office Depot carries, ranging from Forest Stewardship Council-certified and 100% recycled papers to remanufactured ink and toner cartridges and Energy Star-rated lighting. For a complete list of products with green attributes, visit www.officedepot.com/buygreen. About Office Depot Office Depot provides more office products and services to more customers in more countries than any other company. Incorporated in 1986 and headquartered in Delray Beach, Fla., Office Depot has annual sales of over $15.4 billion, and employs approximately 52,000 associates around the world. Currently, the Company sells to customers directly or through affiliates in 43 countries. Office Depot is a leader in every distribution channel -- from retail stores and contract delivery to catalogs and e-commerce. As of June 30, 2007, Office Depot had 1,186 retail stores in North America and another 369 stores, either company-owned, licensed or franchised, in other parts of the world. Office Depot serves a wide range of customers through a dedicated sales force, telephone account managers, direct mail offerings, and multiple web sites. With $4.7 billion in online sales during the last twelve months, the Company is also one of the world’s largest e-commerce retailers. Office Depot’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ODP and is included in the S&P 500 Index. Additional press information can be found at: http://mediarelations.officedepot.com. Press materials and background specific to Office Depot’s environmental initiatives and product offerings is available at http://mediarelations.officedepot.cc/environment. About Voltaic Systems Voltaic Systems is a New York based private company, focused on the development and popularization of sustainable products. This began with the launch of the Voltaic Solar Backpack in 2004. It has since extended to a full range of solar bags, with several other innovative solar products in on the way. Most recently Voltaic Systems has introduced a fabric made from recycled PET (soda bottles) pioneering its use in bags. This has reduced the environmental impact, including the carbon footprint, of Voltaic Systems’ products. Perhaps more importantly it has introduced a more sustainable material into the mainstream industrial system. This makes it easier for other manufacturers to follow Voltaic Systems’ lead, which they have done, thus amplifying the positive impact. Similarly, other major companies are now developing solar bags, in several cases with the support of Voltaic Systems, further contributing to the broader corporate mission. More information on the company and its products is available at www.voltaicsystems.com.