HP today published survey findings that show small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs)(1) across Europe are yet to make environmental awareness their number one priority when purchasing printers.
The survey of 1,200 decision makers across Europe(2) revealed that while 75 percent of purchasers were affected to some extent by environmental factors, less than one in ten (8 percent) placed it as their top criteria when purchasing a new printer and less than a third of those surveyed would be happy to pay a premium for more environmentally responsible products.
“We are all aware that we have to take better care of the environment, but many SMBs face commercial pressures that make it difficult for them to be as green as they would like,” said Alberto Bozzo, vice president and general manager, Commercial Core (SMB), Imaging & Printing Group, HP EMEA. “That’s why it is important that HP makes it easy for our customers to be more environmentally responsible through schemes such as HP's Planet Partners recycling service(3) or through purchasing products with the Energy Star or Blue Angel label. It is reassuring that 45 percent of respondents were influenced by vendor recycling schemes when it came to making the final decision about buying a printer.”
Across Europe, 46 percent of businesses surveyed have some form of environmental policy in place but almost as many companies - 43 percent - do not have a policy at all. About a third do not intend to actively purchase more products with environmental features in the next two years.
Encouragingly, 90 percent have some form of environmental paper programmes, such as double-sided printing (49 percent), or a re-use and recycling programme (53 percent), although only 20 percent had a green paper purchase policy in place.
The biggest incentive to becoming a more responsible organisation would be competitive pricing for products with environmental features, with 60 percent saying that would make a difference to their current purchasing habits. Although almost a third (28 percent) would also respond to better information or training.
Bozzo continued: “There are a number of ways that HP can help SMBs become more environmentally aware of their printing – such as helping them understand the right technology or product for their business. This can help enormously in reducing the amount of paper, ink and toner that is being used.”
The survey results also revealed that there is increasing awareness of various energy rating programmes, such as EPEAT and Blue Angel, with Energy Star being recognised by a third of businesses.
HP and the environment
For decades HP has worked to manage its environmental impact by adopting environmentally responsible practices in product development, operations and supply chain. The company strives to be a global leader in reducing its carbon footprint, limiting waste and recycling responsibly. More information about the company’s environmental programmes is available at www.hp.com/uk/environment.
About HP
HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers – from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world’s largest IT companies, with revenue totalling $107.7 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended Jan. 31, 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at www.hp.com.
Note to editors: More news from HP, including links to RSS feeds, is available at www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/.
(1) SMB is defined by HP as a business with between 10 and 999 employees.
(2) Online survey of 1,200 decision makers and influencers in small and medium-sized companies carried out by BRBM Omnibus across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
(3) HP's Planet Partners recycling service provides an easy way to recycle computer equipment or HP printing supplies. HP's state-of-the-art processes ensure that unwanted hardware or empty HP printing supplies are recycled responsibly. For more information please see http://tinyurl.com/2rdt6m 
.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including the expected benefits and costs of the transaction; management plans relating to the transaction; the expected timing of the completion of the transaction; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the possibility that expected benefits may not materialize as expected; risks related to the timing or ultimate completion of the transaction; and other risks that are described in HP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2007 and HP’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Oct. 31, 2006. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.
© 2008 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.
03/2008
Printable version
