HP out in front as an environmental leader

With programs and policies that date back to 1957, HP is renowned as a pioneer in environmental awareness. The foundation built by Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard’s citizenship objective now supports one of the world’s most environmentally conscious corporations. In the past year alone, HP Canada’s efforts have been recognized with awards from the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business Magazine, the Recycling Council of Alberta, the City of Toronto, the Recycling Council of Ontario, Corporate Knights Inc., and several other organizations (see box). 
                                                          
“HP has been a leader in environmental responsibility for many years,” says Ralph McMillen, vice president of Environmental Programs, HP Canada. “Primarily, this means that we strive for products and services that are environmentally sound throughout their life cycles.
 
“That responsibility continues even to the end of their productive life, when we have an obligation to ensure that these products are appropriately disposed of at the end of their life,” continues Ralph. “For that reason, it is also important to HP that, where possible, our products are made from materials that are recyclable, and that it is easy for the end user to recycle.”
 
This isn’t a hollow commitment. During the last 16 years, HP has recycled one-half billion pounds of computer and printer hardware and supplies. Since 1990, the average number of pages printed using HP’s LaserJet print cartridges has more than doubled, extending cartridge life and reducing packaging and transportation needs. And we're well on the way to reaching our goal of 1 billion pounds of products recycled by 2007.
 
Recycling isn’t just a pretty promise, it’s vital. Imagine a line of 158,760 Mini-Coopers, running from Toronto to Montreal. That’s the equivalent, by weight, of the more than 140,000 tons of electronic equipment accumulating in Canadian landfills each year. HP is winning environmental awards because of a series of innovative programs that epitomize the ’three Rs’: reduce, re-use, and recycle.
 
In 2005, HP used post-consumer plastic from print cartridges (recycled via the Planet Partners program) and combined it with recycled plastic from drinking water bottles to make the carriage cover for various ScanJet models. Glass salvaged from discarded monitors is recycled for use on new ones. The company also sets out clear expectations for suppliers and industry partners, who must have environmental policies that cover energy efficiency, hazardous materials, information and labeling, manufacturing, packaging, and product recycling and reuse. 
 
“All of these awards are well earned,” says Ralph, “because our company really does take a holistic approach to environmental responsibility. HP Canada is a founding member of Electronic Product Stewardship Canada, an industry group that sets guidelines on products and e-waste. And we’re also recognized as leaders for many other things, like our Telework program, our support of the Earth Rangers program that teaches kids about environmental sustainability, and even our bike-friendly policies. We also support Waste Reduction Week to help change habits and promote awareness.”