HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- 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."