Free Recycling Service

Although some EU countries met the August 13, 2005 deadline for implementation of WEEE legislation or they have existing recycling legislation, many countries have postponed implementation until a later date. Despite the delays by member states, HP has prepared for the WEEE Directive and its one-stop recycling service is available immediately.

Business customers can access the service using a new recycling web order tool on www.hp.com/recycle. Upon entering their details, customers will be then directed to their nearest collection point. They can request a quote for the transportation of their products or arrange this themselves. Once the products have been sent to the collection point HP’s approved recycling contractor will recycle the products to the standards prescribed by the WEEE Directive. Under terms and conditions agreed between HP and the contractor, the recycler will not ship the waste hardware outside of the EU for recycling.

“Although HP has been recycling for many years, the new free recycling service will be available for the first time throughout the entire European Union.  By offering the new one-stop service for free, HP is making it easy for businesses to use. Unlike the previous recycling programme, there are no calculations or negotiations regarding the volume and type of products being returned,” said Klaus Hieronymi, general manager, Environmental Business Management, HP EMEA.

The new service represents a continuation of HP’s commitment to the environment. HP has been providing hardware recycling services to customers since 1987 and has recycled 280,000 tons of electronic products since then. In 2004, HP recycled approximately 22,000 tons of hardware in Europe. HP’s goal is to recycle 450,000 tons of electronic products and supplies by 2007.

Printing supplies, which are not part of the WEEE Directive, can be recycled free through HP’s Planet Partners Programme available across EMEA.  Last year HP recycled approximately 12,300 tons of LaserJet supplies worldwide.

For consumers, HP is leading the practical set-up of collective schemes that will operate in member states to ensure that consumer waste is also collected and recycled in accordance with WEEE.  These schemes will be established as national legislation allows. HP, Braun, Electrolux and Sony established the European Recycling Platform (ERP) to allow member companies to fulfill product take-back obligations mandated by the WEEE Directive at a competitive cost, benefiting customers and the environment.

In addition to readiness for WEEE, HP is committed to the highest standards of recycling around the world. For example HP is the only IT or consumer electronics company that offers product recycling services free of charge to all commercial business customers in nine countries and regions throughout Asia, including China.


(1) The service will be available across the European Union and in Switzerland and Norway.