HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sears Holdings is pleased to announce today the release of its new Sustainable Paper Procurement Policy. The policy is part of a larger effort by the company to increase its sourcing of environmentally-preferred paper for its catalogs, retail circulars, direct mail and internal paper usage.
The Sustainable Paper Procurement Policy is Sears Holdings' commitment that it will phase out fiber from unwanted sources, and procure paper sourced from credibly certified forest sources with verified chain-of-custody and/or recycled sources with a preference for post-consumer recycled paper. The policy also outlines supplier requirements and a preferred sustainable supplier program.
In addition, Sears Holdings is announcing today that it is implementing Metafore's Environmental Paper Assessment Tool (EPAT) to assist it in the procurement of sustainable paper. EPAT will provide the company with data about and transparency into its suppliers' paper sourcing practices which will facilitate Sears Holdings' implementation of its new Sustainable Paper Procurement Policy.
"We are excited to work with Metafore and begin using EPAT," said Bruce Johnson, interim CEO and president of Sears Holdings. "We are constantly looking for ways to be more environmentally friendly. Our new policy and EPAT will allow us to raise the standards we have in place for the paper that we procure while measuring our progress toward our sustainability goals in the future."
Sears Holdings will work with suppliers to get a more accurate understanding of the lifecycle costs of paper choices based on grade types and fiber sources available. With EPAT, the company will evaluate suppliers' paper production processes such as waste, energy efficiency, the health of natural systems, water, air and climate quality, as well as community and human well-being.
"We are very proud about the positive changes that our new Sustainable Paper Procurement Policy and EPAT will bring to our organization," added Mr. Johnson. "Sears Holdings is actively engaged with its suppliers and industry associations to continuously improve the company's prudent use of natural resources, and to reduce its impact on the environment."
For more information regarding Sears Holdings' Corporate Sustainability Initiatives, please visit http://www.sears.com/shc/s/dap_10153_12605_DAP_Green+SHC+Initiatives
About Metafore
Metafore, is a non-profit environmental consulting company. For more information, please go to http://www.epat.org/ or http://www.metafore.org/
About Sears Holdings Corporation
Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fourth largest broadline retailer with approximately 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands' End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has the Country Living collection, which is offered exclusively by Sears and Kmart. We are the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 12 million service calls made annually. Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation. For more information, visit Sears Holdings' website at http://www.searsholdings.com/.
Sears Holdings Corporation
CONTACT: Sears Holdings Public Relations, +1-847-286-8371
Web Site: http://www.searsholdings.com/
http://www.metafore.org/
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