Smith & Associates, the largest independent distributor of electronic components, today announced major milestones in its corporate sustainability initiatives and preparations to take these initiatives global. Since 2008, when Smith intensified its commitment to becoming fully sustainable and carbon-neutral, the company has continued to meet and exceed major targets in key conservation areas including electricity use, recycling, waste diversion, water conservation, and transportation.

Smith recently hosted its second of a series of Green Bag Lunches that provide a forum for education, leadership and innovation on sustainable initiatives to the Houston area. In concert with the U.S. Government's emphasis on sustainable practices and corporate responsibility in the electronics and semiconductor industries, Smith's achievements in corporate sustainability underscore the company's long-standing commitment to quality, stewardship, and responsible business practices. Looking towards the coming year, Smith is expanding its sustainability initiatives to its global offices for 2013.

US Government Calls for Corporate Responsibility In September 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Electronics Challenge, with the goal of advancing the responsible management of used electronics. This nationwide campaign is an effort to urge companies to improve environmental stewardship by increasing electronics refurbishing and recycling practices to develop new industry standards for recycling and new manufacturing content. This pledge has attracted leaders from global companies such as Best Buy, LG Electronics, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, Sprint, and Staples. In October, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provided new guidelines on how companies are allowed to promote environmental claims in their marketing materials. The U.S. government is seeking a new level of responsibility and commitment to sustainability from corporations, calling on companies to take real steps in green innovation and environmental conservation.

Smith has been consistently ahead of the curve in its corporate sustainability efforts, making resource and environmental protection a priority at the highest level. In 2011, Smith was named an "e-Stewards Enterprise" by the Basel Action Network, which recognized Smith's contributions to confronting global environmental injustices and to actively improving the economic inefficiency of toxic wastes, products, and technologies. Smith recently expanded its asset disposition service offerings for Smith customers worldwide to support the data-secure, economically sound, and environmentally aware repurposing, recycling, and/or destruction of used equipment and components. Smith also offers "E-Waste Days," which enable businesses in the Houston area to safely and securely recycle electronics in an environmentally responsible manner.

In April 2012, Smith won the City of Houston Award for Excellence in Environmental Sustainability following outstanding results in Houston's Green Office Challenge. Smith has further expanded its corporate sustainability initiative with the formation of an employee-directed green team called Smith Sustainability Group (SSG). SSG is tasked with setting Smith's environmental goals, building green education and awareness for employees and implementing programs that encourage employees to take sustainable action. As part of this, SSG developed Smith's Green Lunch Bag Series, available to Smith employees, which launched in October 2012. The recent flagship event featured Houston Sustainability Manager Lisa Lin, who spoke on a variety of topics such as municipal energy efficiency, Houston's "green teams," and the City's garden initiatives and bike share programs.

2012 Milestones Additional milestones announced today as part of Smith's 2012 corporate sustainability success include:

• 38% reduction of energy use since 2008
• Doubled recycling of waste from an average of 2.21 tons per month in 2008 to an average of 6.30 tons per month in 2011
• The establishment of campus-wide recycling stations including a recycling bin, waste bin, and bin for paper recycling
• Increase in average waste diversion to 95%
• Elimination of paper cups (53,000 paper cups saved annually)
• Increased use of recycled paper and paper napkins, green cleaning products and environmentally friendly pest control services
• The installation of green gardening systems including rain sensors in the sprinkler system and a sprinkler system schedule
• The achievement of overwhelming company-wide participation in green events including an Electronics Recycle Drive, Clothing Drive, Green Bag Lunches and Speaking Events

"Our mission is to make Smith & Associates the greenest that it can be, we continue to take steps to change how we think, companywide," Matthew Hartzell, Chief Operating Officer of Smith & Associates, said. "Smith knows that in order to be environmentally responsible, recycling programs and thoughtful choices need to be made on a global scale, one office at a time. Our changes in Houston are the first of many more to come."

2013 Takes Sustainability Global As Smith's Houston headquarters continues to make strides locally, Smith is furthering its commitment to sustainability on a global level. The next step in Smith's greenovation plan is to have its international offices follow suit with the Houston headquarters, starting with the institution of recycling programs in every office. With offices worldwide, including Europe and Asia, Smith intends to build upon its successes locally and expand its E-Waste Day service programs to every Smith location in 2013, complying with local green initiatives in every city.

"To Smith & Associates, the road to truly having a green company is long but it is well worth the effort," said Matthew Hartzell. "We are proud of the commitment of our employees as well as the recognition and support that we have achieved thus far; we look forward to breaking more records in green in 2013."

For more information on Smith and Associates' green initiatives, see: http://www.smithweb.com/en/company/smith-and-the-environment.

About Smith & Associates Founded in Houston in 1984, Smith & Associates is a leader in the independent distribution of semiconductors and electronic components to electronics and high-tech manufacturers. Smith offers shortage sourcing for commodity and obsolete parts, innovative purchasing and inventory management solutions, redistribution of excess inventory, and component stocking for warranty and repair programs.

A privately held company, Smith & Associates employs more than 350 people worldwide, with annual revenue in excess of US $500 million. Smith's regional hubs in Houston, Hong Kong, and Amsterdam are ISO certified and IDEA compliant. In addition, sales and purchasing offices are located in Silicon Valley, Barcelona, Guadalajara, New York, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, and Denver. For more information, see http://www.smithweb.com/ or to reach a Smith representative 24 hours a day, please call: 1.800.HOUSTON or +1 713.430.3000.

For more information, contact: Mark Bollinger Smith & Associates V.P. of Marketing +1 713.430.3000 Email Contact Ashley Wilkinson BOCA Communications + 1 415.738.7718 x4 Email Contact