Sears Holdings looks to procure more sustainable paper

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. Sears Holdings announced that through its new sustainable paper procurement policy, 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 announced 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."

For more information regarding Sears Holdings' Corporate Sustainability Initiatives, please visit http://www.sears.com/shc/s/dap_10153_12605_DAP_Green+SHC+Initiatives .