Welcome

The Winetasting Network Converts 80% of its Packaging to Environmentally Friendly Materials; Recycles 700 Tons

July 29, 2008 06:00 AM Eastern Time

CARLE PLACE, N.Y.--(EON:Enhanced Online News)--The Winetasting Network, a Napa, California based distributor and direct-to-consumer wine marketer and a subsidiary of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc., has expanded its commitment to environmental stewardship both internally and in its relationships with vendors. As part of its enhanced environmental efforts, The Winetasting Network has developed a “Green Report Card” that is utilized to establish and attain a number of sustainability goals on an annual basis. The “Report Card” enumerates key ecological initiatives underway at the Company and tracks compliance with those initiatives throughout the year. Included as goals are mandates to utilize more environmental packaging, an increase in materials recycling, and a reduction in shipments via air freight to reduce carbon emissions.

“We tasked our packaging vendors to come back to us with solutions and they met our vision for environmentally correct packaging”

Among the results of The Winetasting Network’s environmental efforts is the conversion of 80% of its packaging from styrofoam to corrugated or earth friendly pulp materials. “We tasked our packaging vendors to come back to us with solutions and they met our vision for environmentally correct packaging,” said Chris Edwards, Vice President and General Manager of WTN Services. “We are proud to be helping to push the wine industry forward in the green area and we are taking on this essential responsibility because we are basically the only wine fulfillment and retail company that is measuring sustainability as it relates to packaging.”

The Winetasting Network has also recycled more than 700 tons of cardboard and fiberboard during the past year. Each day, cardboard and fiberboard cartons and boxes are broken apart and put into a compressor, then placed into 2,000 pound bails and turned over to a recycling agent for re-manufacture back into corrugated cartons and boxes.

Additionally, the Company has converted approximately 25% of its shipments in the past year from air freight to 2-day ground shipping. “Our aim is to do our part in helping to reduce carbon emissions,” continued Mr. Edwards. “Shipping via ground produces far less emissions versus air, and because we have fulfillment centers located on both coasts...in Napa, California and also in Albany, New York...we are able to deliver to 82% of the wine-consuming public within 2 days using ground transportation.” It is estimated that The Winetasting Network’s conversion to ground shipping reduces CO2 emissions by up to 90% per shipment. The Winetasting Network distributes wine through its WTN Services^TM division and also markets wine direct to consumers under the Ambrosia® brand name.

About 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. is the world’s leading florist and a provider of specialty gifts for all occasions. For more than 30 years, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. has been providing customers with fresh flowers and the finest selection of plants, gift baskets, gourmet foods, confections, balloons and plush stuffed animals perfect for every occasion. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM^® (1-800-356-9377 or www.1800flowers.com), is one of the top 50 online retailers by Internet Retailer, as well as 2008 Laureate Honoree by the Computerworld Honors Program and the recipient of ICMI’s 2006 Global Call Center of the Year Award, offers the best of both worlds: exquisite arrangements created by some of the nation’s top floral artists and hand-delivered the same day, and spectacular flowers shipped overnight “Fresh From Our Growers_sm.” As always, 100% satisfaction and freshness are guaranteed. The Company’s BloomNet® (www.mybloomnet.net) international floral wire service provides a broad range of quality products and value-added services designed to help professional florists grow their businesses profitably.

The 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. “Gift Shop” also includes gourmet gifts such as popcorn and specialty treats from The Popcorn Factory® (1-800-541-2676 or www.thepopcornfactory.com); exceptional cookies and baked gifts from Cheryl&Co.^®(1-800-443-8124 or www.cherylandco.com); premium chocolates and confections from Fannie May Confections Brands^®(www.fanniemay.com and www.harrylondon.com); gourmet foods from Greatfood.com® (www.greatfood.com); wine gifts from Ambrosia® (www.ambrosia.com); gift baskets from 1-800-BASKETS.COM® (www.1800baskets.com) and DesignPac® as well as Home Decor and Children’s Gifts from Plow & Hearth® (1-800-627-1712 or www.plowandhearth.com), Wind & Weather® (www.windandweather.com), HearthSong® (www.hearthsong.com) and Magic Cabin® (www.magiccabin.com).

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. is involved in a broad range of corporate social responsibility initiatives including continuous expansion and enhancement of its environmentally-friendly “green” programs, various philanthropic and charitable efforts and special private-sector skills training programs for military veterans. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under ticker symbol FLWS.