Sears Holdings Celebrates Earth Day

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., April 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Sears Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq: SHLD) celebrates the 41st anniversary of Earth Day.  Continuing its sustainability efforts Sears Holdings made significant strides over the past year, to reduce its carbon footprint, encourage customers to make sustainable purchasing decisions, and ultimately protect our planet for future generations.

Sears is always searching for ways to empower its customers.  Just this year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) named Sears the 2011 ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner of the Year.  This honor recognizes Sears for its efforts to promote ENERGY STAR products by educating consumers on the financial and environmental benefits of purchasing an ENERGY STAR-qualified appliance, TV, etc.  Sears aims to not only help customers save money, but also help customers reduce greenhouse gas emissions from everyday household activities.  

Sears proved to be a leader in the retail industry, helping customers access rebates in states throughout the country during the government's "Cash for Appliances" program.  In 2010, Sears launched the Big Switch campaign designed to encourage American families to switch to five million ENERGY STAR appliances while recycling their old appliances through Sears' Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program.(1)  Through the Big Switch, 70,000 consumers took the ENERGY STAR pledge and made a commitment to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by a total of 1,777,551,644 pounds.  To celebrate its success as ENERGY STAR Retail Partner of the Year, Sears will be offering 30% off all Kenmore ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and 15% off ENERGY STAR qualified appliances from all other brands plus an extra five percent off all ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances purchased with a Sears card starting now through Saturday, April 23.(2)

Sears is thrilled to launch two other exciting customer programs on Earth Day in addition to the ENERGY STAR discount.  

-This Friday and Saturday (April 22- 23), customers who bring in an old automotive, lawn and garden, marine or power sport battery to be recycled through any Sears Auto Center nationwide will receive a $10 Sears gift card.(3)  

-Today marks the launch of the Reusable Bag and eReceipt Sweepstakes at Sears and Kmart stores.  With this program, Shop Your Way Rewards(SM) members who present a reusable bag for their purchases or who opt for an emailed eReceipt will be entered into a drawing to reward their environmentally–friendly choices.  Each month, three winners will be selected with one winner receiving a $400 Sears gift card and the other two winners receiving $50 Sears gift cards.  The promotion runs through March 31, 2012.(4)  

Programs and Initiatives

Sears Holdings is proud of a variety of corporate environmental sustainability programs implemented last year.  In 2010, Sears joined the ENERGY STAR Certified Buildings & Plants program, earning the ENERGY STAR label for over 160 buildings including Sears stores, Kmart stores, and our corporate headquarters.  Further highlighting the energy efficiency at Sears' stores, the Glen Burnie, Maryland Sears store achieved a strong second place finish in the EPA's National Building Competition last year.  Additionally, in 2010, Sears Holdings joined the EPA's WasteWise program, a voluntary program that recognizes organizations' commitment to waste reduction and recycling.  Sears Holdings is also in the process of implementing IT power management software, which will be installed on over 52,000 computers company-wide.  This software will help SHC reduce energy consumed by the company's computers when not in use.  Finally, last year, Sears Holdings reported the company's 2009 greenhouse gas emissions to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).  Overall, SHC reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 2.5% (over 70,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) compared to 2008 emissions.(5)

For more information on Sears Holdings' Environmental Sustainability initiatives, visit www.sears.com/green or follow us on Twitter @EnviroSears.

About Sears Holdings Corporation

Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fourth largest broadline retailer with over 4,000 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, consumer electronics and automotive repair and maintenance.  Sears Holdings is the 2011 ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner of the Year. 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 by Sears and Kmart.  We are the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 11 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 www.searsholdings.com

(1) http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=join_change_the_world.showOrganizations

(2) Exclusions apply see store for details.

(3) No purchase necessary.  This offer does not apply to new battery purchase,  Standard Core Credit applies to new purchase. Limit 3 per person. Valid 4/22,2011-4/23,2011 only.

(4) NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.  LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (& D.C.) AND PUERTO RICO 13 YEARS AND OLDER WHO HAVE A SHOP YOUR WAY REWARDS  Member Account.  VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes ends 3/31/12. For Official Rules, free mail-in method of entry, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, visit a Sears Holdings participating retail store (visit http://www.shopyourwayrewards.com/sywr/promos_do for a complete list).  Sponsor: Sears Holdings Management Corporation, 3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179.

(5) This reduction comprises Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions as defined by the CDP.  This reduction does not include 2009 refrigerant data as It was not reported in SHC's 2008 submission.

SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation