Sears to Reduce and Phase Out Use of Polyvinyl Chloride Dec 18, 2007

Printable format  Email this Article  Search

Sears Holdings Corp. 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 will 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; and encourage vendors to reduce or eliminate their use of PVC in merchandise and packaging.

Sears Holdings also currently has programs aimed at strengthening the company's paper policy; reducing the energy consumption at stores, recycling in facilities and helping customers reduce their own carbon footprints.

Back to Daily News