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Sears Holdings Adopts Policy Aimed at Reducing and Phasing Out the Use of Polyvinyl Chloride

    HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Dec. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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,
http://www.searsholdings.com, states that Sears Holdings will:



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    --  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 http://www.searsholdings.com.


SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation





 

 
Web site: http://www.searsholdings.com

  

 
CONTACT: Sears Holdings Public Relations, +1-847-286-8371