Sears Holdings Adopts Policy Aimed at Reducing and Phasing Out the Use of Polyvinyl Chloride
Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), today announced it will begin working to reduce and phase out the use of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) in its packaging and merchandise. The company adopted a policy aimed at identifying more sustainable choices, given the potential health and environmental risks tied to the manufacture, use and disposal of PVC.
The policy, which will be posted at the company's website, , states that Sears Holdings will:
-- Identify safer, more sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to
PVC and incorporate them into the design and manufacturing process for
private label merchandise and packaging;
-- Show preference for PVC-free materials that do not contain highly
hazardous chemicals and set a long term goal of sourcing bio-based
polymers that are sustainably sourced, have higher recycled content,
and can be reused, recycled, or composted;
-- Show preference to incorporate the Society of the Plastics Industry
labeling system on private label merchandise packaging to make it
easier for consumers to incorporate packaging options into their
purchase decision;
-- Show preference to mark private label merchandise as PVC-free when
true;
-- Encourage vendors to reduce or eliminate their use of PVC in
merchandise and packaging;
-- Encourage vendors to utilize the Society of the Plastics Industry
labeling system on packaging;
-- Encourage vendors to label their merchandise as PVC-free when true.
Sears Holdings recognizes the importance of being a positive, contributing member of the communities in which we work and live. Part of that is tied to the company's commitment to environmental sustainability. Sears Holdings also currently has programs aimed at strengthening the company's paper policy; reducing the energy consumption at our stores, recycling in our facilities and helping our customers reduce their own carbon footprints.
About Sears Holdings Corporation
Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fourth largest broadline retailer with over $50 billion in annual revenues and approximately 3,800 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 Martha Stewart Everyday products, which are offered exclusively in the U.S. by Kmart and in Canada by Sears Canada. The company is the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 13 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit Sears Holdings' website at .
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: kfreely@searshc.com
SOURCE: Sears Holdings Corporation
CONTACT: Sears Holdings Public Relations, +1-847-286-8371
Web site: