Inventing environmentally sustainable solutions
"Environmental protection is a complex undertaking, but the laws of nature are simple. We will provide leadership on the journey to an environmentally sustainable future, with efficient products and creative recycling systems."
- Carly Fiorina, CEO,Hewlett-Packard
Environmental concerns appear increasingly high on the agenda for consumers, governments and businesses. Therefore, organizations need to consider how they can reduce their environmental footprint, while continuing to produce the same high quality and reliable products and services that customers demand. HP is committed to being an industry leader in global citizenship by working to create a sustainable future for all. For HP, sustainability means integrating long-term economic, environmental and social dimensions into the way it operates its business. HP's environmental commitment is to reduce the environmental impact of its products, services and operations, thereby enabling both HP and HP customers to operate more sustainably. HP, therefore, considers the environmental impact of every aspect of the business from designing innovative, environmentally superior products and services, to ensuring environmentally sound facilities, distribution and operations, through to managing its supply chain and providing end of life take back and recycling services.
Designing for the environment
The environmental performance of products is largely determined at the design stage. This is why HP developed its Design for Environment (DfE) program more than 10 years ago with the goal of reducing the environmental impact of products and services - which means designing products that use fewer materials, are more energy efficient, and are easier to recycle, while maximizing overall value for customers. HP uses the knowledge it gains from recycling its products to design new products that are easier to upgrade and recycle.
Recycling solutions for hardware
HP's goal is to offer customers a return and recycling service for as many HP products as possible wherever they are sold. This is an integral part of the company's business strategy. In many countries around the world, HP currently provides a convenient way to recycle used IT hardware products from any manufacturer in an environmentally sound manner.
HP's return and recycling program, Planet Partners(tm), offers take back and recycling for both HP and non-HP trademark products such as: scanners, fax machines, personal computers, servers, monitors, handheld devices, associated external components such as cable, mouse and keyboards.
HP's hardware recycling program reduces the environmental impact of both HP and HP's competitors' products by capturing the intrinsic value through reuse and recycling. The goal of the program is to reduce the environmental footprint of these products and minimize the amount of waste going into landfill. All returned hardware is evaluated and either disassembled into parts for reuse as commodities or recycled to reclaim valuable materials, thus reducing the burden on the earth's resources.
In association with strategic partners and selected vendors, HP has developed state-of-the-art processes to ensure economical and environmentally sound management of e-waste. Each month, HP's recycling centres around the world process about 1.8 million kilograms of computer-related hardware.
HP print cartridge return and recycling programs
These programs enable customers to conveniently send end of life HP print cartridges free of charge to recycling facilities located in Asia, Europe and North America, where they receive state-of-the-art, environmentally responsible recycling.
HP has been offering return and recycling programs for original HP LaserJet print cartridges to both business customers and home users since 1991. Similar programs have been provided for HP inkjet print cartridges for business customers since 1997 and for consumers since 2003. The results are impressive: as of July 2003, more than 70.5 million kilograms of HP LaserJet and inkjet print cartridge materials had been returned and recycled worldwide since the program's creation.
The Waste Management Act of April 27, 2001 has finally regulated the management of used print cartridges. The law defines the obligations of all wasteholders. Every waste producer, private person, legal entity or organizational unit is obliged to recover or neutralize waste products. According to the Act, recycling is one of the methods of recovery. The return and recycling program of original HP print cartridges enables your company to manage used print cartridges legally.
Participating in HP's return and recycling programs is very easy. HP's recycling web site is the central gateway to the related services. Customers need to visit www.hp.com/recycle to find the latest listing of countries where it is possible to turn in HP LaserJet and inkjet print cartridges via the company's return and recycling program. On HP's recycling web site they can select their country or region and then "printing supplies".
To meet the demands of business customers with a high turn-over of HP LaserJet and/or inkjet print cartridges, HP's return and recycling program includes the free delivery of special HP containers as well as free pick-up services. All HP print cartridges to be returned should be collected in original HP containers only. Further instructions can be found on HP's recycling web site.
European recycling trends
European governments, customers and the public are paying increasing attention to the disposal of used computers and other electronic products at the end of their useful lives; electronic waste, or "E-waste," is a growing environmental concern. Many regions and countries are adopting or proposing legislation to address the issue. This includes the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) being adopted across Europe. This trend highlights the need for companies to consider the impacts of their products at the end of their useful lives.
The European Union's Waste and Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive will be implemented in member states during 2005. The aim of the directive is to stop the growing volume of electrical and electronic waste disposed of in landfill sites, by making manufacturers responsible for financing the recycling of end-of-life equipment. HP is proactively involved in pilot projects across Europe simulating the requirements of WEEE before the legislation is in place.
HP has joined forces with Sony, Braun and Electrolux to establish the European Recycling Platform (ERP), a common procurement platform for recycling electrical and electronic waste. This was established in preparation for pending WEEE legislation in European member states. The ERP was formed to research recycling technologies, logistics and tendering methods for recycling services, and to ensure consistent legislation is passed in the European Union member states.
Many organizations have made the increasingly fashionable declaration of a pledge to global citizenship. This is because multinational companies recognize that they must engage in relationships with a broad range of stakeholders-from customers, employees and shareowners to government agencies, corporations and NGOs-in order to develop mutually beneficial ways to conduct business all over the world. A commitment to the environment is an important part of global citizenship. However, such statements must be backed up with action, otherwise organizations leave themselves open to accusations of "Green Wash". A recycling program is an important and tangible demonstration of commitment to the environment as it is visible and measurable. For example, customers cannot see when a printer is more energy efficient, but they can see when a used ink cartridge is broken down into raw materials and used to make car seats and plastic trays instead of going into a landfill.
Following on from a commitment to global citizenship, the second reason why organizations should adopt recycling practices is to act as industry leaders; sharing their knowledge and demonstrating that self regulation is effective. In some industries where there is no legislation it is not a requirement to implement recycling programs. Environmental issues are not just a government responsibility and leaders in each industry should be addressing this issue. They are the companies with the knowledge of the market, technology, customers and therefore they know the best way to design and implement a recycling program to make it successful.
The reduction of our environmental footprint is a goal that all companies should be striving for and those organizations at the forefront of their industry should be leading this charge. In order to make it sustainable, environmental considerations should not be an "add on", but an integral part of the business model for any organization. This allows companies to be environmentally responsible while maintaining their existing commitments to customers, shareholders and employees as well as meeting the objective of creating a successful business.
- Carly Fiorina, CEO,Hewlett-Packard
Environmental concerns appear increasingly high on the agenda for consumers, governments and businesses. Therefore, organizations need to consider how they can reduce their environmental footprint, while continuing to produce the same high quality and reliable products and services that customers demand. HP is committed to being an industry leader in global citizenship by working to create a sustainable future for all. For HP, sustainability means integrating long-term economic, environmental and social dimensions into the way it operates its business. HP's environmental commitment is to reduce the environmental impact of its products, services and operations, thereby enabling both HP and HP customers to operate more sustainably. HP, therefore, considers the environmental impact of every aspect of the business from designing innovative, environmentally superior products and services, to ensuring environmentally sound facilities, distribution and operations, through to managing its supply chain and providing end of life take back and recycling services.
Designing for the environment
The environmental performance of products is largely determined at the design stage. This is why HP developed its Design for Environment (DfE) program more than 10 years ago with the goal of reducing the environmental impact of products and services - which means designing products that use fewer materials, are more energy efficient, and are easier to recycle, while maximizing overall value for customers. HP uses the knowledge it gains from recycling its products to design new products that are easier to upgrade and recycle.
Recycling solutions for hardware
HP's goal is to offer customers a return and recycling service for as many HP products as possible wherever they are sold. This is an integral part of the company's business strategy. In many countries around the world, HP currently provides a convenient way to recycle used IT hardware products from any manufacturer in an environmentally sound manner.
HP's return and recycling program, Planet Partners(tm), offers take back and recycling for both HP and non-HP trademark products such as: scanners, fax machines, personal computers, servers, monitors, handheld devices, associated external components such as cable, mouse and keyboards.
HP's hardware recycling program reduces the environmental impact of both HP and HP's competitors' products by capturing the intrinsic value through reuse and recycling. The goal of the program is to reduce the environmental footprint of these products and minimize the amount of waste going into landfill. All returned hardware is evaluated and either disassembled into parts for reuse as commodities or recycled to reclaim valuable materials, thus reducing the burden on the earth's resources.
In association with strategic partners and selected vendors, HP has developed state-of-the-art processes to ensure economical and environmentally sound management of e-waste. Each month, HP's recycling centres around the world process about 1.8 million kilograms of computer-related hardware.
HP print cartridge return and recycling programs
These programs enable customers to conveniently send end of life HP print cartridges free of charge to recycling facilities located in Asia, Europe and North America, where they receive state-of-the-art, environmentally responsible recycling.
HP has been offering return and recycling programs for original HP LaserJet print cartridges to both business customers and home users since 1991. Similar programs have been provided for HP inkjet print cartridges for business customers since 1997 and for consumers since 2003. The results are impressive: as of July 2003, more than 70.5 million kilograms of HP LaserJet and inkjet print cartridge materials had been returned and recycled worldwide since the program's creation.
The Waste Management Act of April 27, 2001 has finally regulated the management of used print cartridges. The law defines the obligations of all wasteholders. Every waste producer, private person, legal entity or organizational unit is obliged to recover or neutralize waste products. According to the Act, recycling is one of the methods of recovery. The return and recycling program of original HP print cartridges enables your company to manage used print cartridges legally.
Participating in HP's return and recycling programs is very easy. HP's recycling web site is the central gateway to the related services. Customers need to visit www.hp.com/recycle to find the latest listing of countries where it is possible to turn in HP LaserJet and inkjet print cartridges via the company's return and recycling program. On HP's recycling web site they can select their country or region and then "printing supplies".
To meet the demands of business customers with a high turn-over of HP LaserJet and/or inkjet print cartridges, HP's return and recycling program includes the free delivery of special HP containers as well as free pick-up services. All HP print cartridges to be returned should be collected in original HP containers only. Further instructions can be found on HP's recycling web site.
European recycling trends
European governments, customers and the public are paying increasing attention to the disposal of used computers and other electronic products at the end of their useful lives; electronic waste, or "E-waste," is a growing environmental concern. Many regions and countries are adopting or proposing legislation to address the issue. This includes the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) being adopted across Europe. This trend highlights the need for companies to consider the impacts of their products at the end of their useful lives.
The European Union's Waste and Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive will be implemented in member states during 2005. The aim of the directive is to stop the growing volume of electrical and electronic waste disposed of in landfill sites, by making manufacturers responsible for financing the recycling of end-of-life equipment. HP is proactively involved in pilot projects across Europe simulating the requirements of WEEE before the legislation is in place.
HP has joined forces with Sony, Braun and Electrolux to establish the European Recycling Platform (ERP), a common procurement platform for recycling electrical and electronic waste. This was established in preparation for pending WEEE legislation in European member states. The ERP was formed to research recycling technologies, logistics and tendering methods for recycling services, and to ensure consistent legislation is passed in the European Union member states.
Many organizations have made the increasingly fashionable declaration of a pledge to global citizenship. This is because multinational companies recognize that they must engage in relationships with a broad range of stakeholders-from customers, employees and shareowners to government agencies, corporations and NGOs-in order to develop mutually beneficial ways to conduct business all over the world. A commitment to the environment is an important part of global citizenship. However, such statements must be backed up with action, otherwise organizations leave themselves open to accusations of "Green Wash". A recycling program is an important and tangible demonstration of commitment to the environment as it is visible and measurable. For example, customers cannot see when a printer is more energy efficient, but they can see when a used ink cartridge is broken down into raw materials and used to make car seats and plastic trays instead of going into a landfill.
Following on from a commitment to global citizenship, the second reason why organizations should adopt recycling practices is to act as industry leaders; sharing their knowledge and demonstrating that self regulation is effective. In some industries where there is no legislation it is not a requirement to implement recycling programs. Environmental issues are not just a government responsibility and leaders in each industry should be addressing this issue. They are the companies with the knowledge of the market, technology, customers and therefore they know the best way to design and implement a recycling program to make it successful.
The reduction of our environmental footprint is a goal that all companies should be striving for and those organizations at the forefront of their industry should be leading this charge. In order to make it sustainable, environmental considerations should not be an "add on", but an integral part of the business model for any organization. This allows companies to be environmentally responsible while maintaining their existing commitments to customers, shareholders and employees as well as meeting the objective of creating a successful business.
