SCHOEN & CIE AG 
By All other Sears Distribution Centres Preparing for Certification
A Story for Canadian Environment Week, June 5 to 11, 2011
TORONTO, June 1 /CNW/ - Sears Canada today announced that its National Logistics Centre (NLC) distribution centre facility in Calgary has been awarded ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 14001 registration for its ongoing, voluntary efforts to reduce the impact of its operations on the environment. The certification, based on internationally-recognized standards for environmental management, recognizes that Sears has taken a systemic approach in identifying and controlling the environmental impact of its Calgary NLC activities, setting goals with a commitment to continual improvements that help protect the environment.
"Sears Canada is proud to say its Calgary NLC facility is ISO 14001 registered," said Dene Rogers, President and CEO, Sears Canada. "The voluntary efforts leading to certification represent best practices applied by Sears associates to reduce operational impacts on the environment. Achieving ISO 14001 registration signifies Sears commitment to help fight climate change and to nurture a culture of sustainability among the Company's associates, customers and the communities in which it operates. I thank all Sears associates in our Calgary Facility for this significant accomplishment."
The bustling NLC consists of three buildings totaling over 600,000 sq. ft. that operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing product distribution services to Sears locations in the five most western provinces and the three territories. The achievement of ISO registration means Sears Calgary NLC has successfully established an accurate baseline from which operations can be improved and is a critical first step to continual improvement.
The Calgary NLC implemented a number of ongoing initiatives to achieve ISO 14001 registration. Highlights include,
- Reducing electricity consumption in the facility through energy
management and lighting retrofits:
- Installation of LED dock lights, which consume 80% less electricity
than incandescent models; and
- Power shut down in unused "twlight zones" during the weekend;
- Installing a bulk baler for plastic hangers and eliminating the
process of transporting hangars to another Sears facility for
recycling;
- Implementing a recycling program for plastic film and an improved
collection process to recycle cardboard, paper, scrap wood and metal;
and
- Providing a domestic battery drop-off station as well as containers to
collect bulk used oil and solvents for safe disposal.
Monthly monitoring of fuel, power and water usage along with monthly reviews of waste management handling ensures opportunities for improvement are identified. Regularly-scheduled surveillance audits throughout the 3-year period of certification ensures ISO 14001 compliance.
"The changes to operations at Sears Calgary NLC distribution centre demonstrate Sears commitment to continually reducing the environmental impact of its operations," says Dr. James Gray-Donald, Associate Vice-President and Sustainability Leader, Sears Canada. "The success at Sears Calgary NLC is a significant one and similar concerted efforts are currently underway at Sears five other distribution centres across the country with the goal of ISO 14001 registration."
The Sears Calgary achievement of ISO 14001 registration (Environmental Management System) also represents the completion of a fully integrated management system, having already achieved ISO 9001 (Quality management System) and OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety Assessment System).
National Certification
Sears Canada's other distribution centres in Port Coquitlam, B.C.; Regina, Saskatchewan; Belleville, Ontario; Vaughn, Ontario; and Montreal, Quebec, are currently preparing for ISO 14001 certification with the goal of having all Sears NLC facilities recognized across Canada.
Leadership in sustainability
Sears Canada is continuing its sustainability efforts that encompass all areas of its business. In 2008, Sears Canada made a commitment to recycle 90% of its waste and reduce its energy use by 20% within five years. Sears Canada is on track to meeting its recycling targets and by the end of 2010 had already reduced its electricity use by 15%.
The company has also launched numerous initiatives to help Canadians choose more environmentally sustainable options, including this spring's Million Dollar Energy Challenge to help Canadians save money with ENERGY STAR appliances. In 2010, it introduced its Cost & Carbon Savings Calculator to demonstrate the financial and environmental benefits of switching to ENERGY STAR qualified products. www.sears.ca/eco.
Sears Canada has also been named the ENERGY STAR Retailer of the Year by Natural Resources Canada four times, including the last three years in a row.
Media tours of Sears Calgary NLC distribution centre can be arranged on request.
About Sears Canada
Sears Canada is a multi-channel retailer with a network that includes 196 corporate stores, 272 hometown dealer stores, 33 home improvement showrooms, 1,800 catalogue merchandise pick-up locations, 108 Sears Travel offices and a nationwide home maintenance, repair, and installation network. The Company also publishes Canada's most extensive general merchandise catalogue and offers shopping online at www.sears.ca.
Get information about special promotions, daily deals, exclusive bonus codes and much more.
Your email address Sign Up
