Sears Holdings Receives US Environmental Protection Agency 2012 SmartWay Excellence Award

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Oct. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sears Holdings (NASDAQ: SHLD) has been honored with a SmartWay^® Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a true industry leader in freight supply chain environmental performance and energy efficiency. The EPA SmartWay partnership is a public/private collaboration between the US EPA and the freight transportation industry that helps freight shippers, carriers, and logistics companies improve fuel-efficiency and save money.

Sears Holdings was one of 40 companies, representing less than one percent of EPA SmartWay's nearly 3000 Partners, to receive this distinction.  In addition, 100 percent of Sears Holdings more than 20+ freight carriers are SmartWay program partners as well. 

"We are honored to have received this distinguished environmental award as our company remains focused on supply chain optimization leading to fuel efficiency, reduced emissions and increased supply chain sustainability," said Raj Pankar, senior vice president and president, supply chain, Sears Holdings.  "This commitment by the SmartWay program enables companies, such as Sears Holdings, to continue to strive towards improved standards year-over-year."

"The EPA is pleased to recognize these SmartWay Partners with a 2012 Excellence Award.  I commend Sears Holdings for its leadership in moving goods efficiently and reducing the environmental impact of freight through the second generation SmartWay Transport Partnership," said Chris Grundler, Acting Director of EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality.  "Their commitment is helping lead the freight industry to a more sustainable future."

The SmartWay Award of Excellence was presented at the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals annual conference held in Atlanta, Georgia on October 2, 2012.

About Sears Holdings Corporation

Sears Holdings Corporation is a leading integrated retailer with over 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada and the home of ShopYourWay, a social shopping experience where members have the ability to earn points and receive benefits across a wide variety of physical and digital formats through ShopYourWay.com.  Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, fitness equipment and automotive repair and maintenance.  Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, with a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands' End, the Kardashian Kollection, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as Sofia by Sofia Vergara and The Country Living Home Collection.   We are the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 15 million service and installation calls made annually and have a long-established commitment to those who serve in the military through initiatives like the Heroes at Home program. We have been named the 2011 Mobile Retailer of the Year, Recipient of the 2012 ENERGY STAR® "Corporate Commitment Award" for Product Retailing and Energy Management and one of the Top 20 Best Places to Work for Recent Grads.  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. Twitter: @searsholdings | |Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SHCCareers

About SmartWay

EPA launched SmartWay in 2004 to help business improve the sustainability of their freight supply chains.  Today the Partnership consists of nearly 3,000 Partners, representing a cross section of the freight supply chain industry.  As of today, SmartWay Partners have saved 55 million barrels of oil. This is equivalent to taking over 3 million cars off the road for an entire year. SmartWay's clean air achievements (23.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, 478,000 tons nitrogen oxides, and 22,000 tons of particulate matter reduced so far) help protect the health and well-being of citizens while contributing to our nation's economic and energy security.

More information on SmartWay in general: http://www.epa.gov/smartway/  

List of Excellence Award recipients: http://www.epa.gov/smartway/partner-resources/awards.htm

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
Sears Holdings Public Relations
(847) 286-8371

SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation