As Sears Stalls on Eco-Policy, Caribou Population Pushed to Brink

High quality photos and b-roll available

 CHICAGO—Sears Holding Company (NASDAQ: SHLD) was accused today of stalling on the release of a robust paper policy which, if implemented, would translate into stronger protections for vulnerable caribou populations in Canada’s Boreal Forest.

Dozens of protesters–irreverenty dressed as caribou in workout clothes–swarmed Sears’ flagship store in Chicago, frantically prodding lethargic Sears executives, including CEO Edward Lampert, into action. The protest occurred both in and outside the store.

ForestEthics has engaged Sears in more than two years of negotiations to help the company develop a paper policy that features strong environmental benchmarks and commitments. The nonprofit environmental group has collaborated with a number of companies on such brand-enhancing ‘green’ policies, but has found Sears to be slower than most on following through. 

“Sears has been made fully aware of the costs of stalling on a strong environmental paper policy,” said Ginger Cassady of ForestEthics. “It’s hard not to conclude that they place a lower priority than their competitors on the welfare of caribou and Endangered Forests. Their fellow Chicago company, Crate & Barrel, for example, cleared this hurdle two years ago.”

“Crate & Barrel implemented a strong paper procurement policy that gives preference to FSC, increases its use of recycled fiber, sources no paper from Endangered Forests and reduces paper use overall. ForestEthics is asking Sears to do the same.”

The plight of the caribou in areas where paper for Sears’ holiday Wishbook is harvested is especially ironic because the caribou—or reindeer, as they’re called in captivity—are such prominent symbols of the holiday spirit.

Americans annually receive 425 million Sears and Lands End catalogs, and Sears holds the dubious honor of having pioneered the practices that have turned the junk mail industry into one of the nation’s most persistent sources of paper waste and nuisance. ForestEthics’ Do Not Mail campaign seeks to establish a national Do Not Mail Registry, which will give Americans the choice to opt out of wasteful junk mail.

Much of the paper used in Sears catalogs comes from Canada’s ancient Boreal Forest. In addition to serving as a critical line of defense against global warming, and as Earth’s most accessible source of freshwater, the Boreal is home to hundreds of First Nations indigenous communities and provides critical habitat for species of songbirds and caribou.

A 2007 Catalog Industry Scorecard identified Sears as the clear laggard in the retail catalog industry. Companies such as Limited Brands (Victoria’s Secret), Dell Computers, Crate&Barrel, and most recently HP have successfully worked with ForestEthics to better align their business with their values.