HP Sets 2 Billion Pounds Recycling Goal by 2010

Hewlett Packard has announced that it has set a new target for another billion pounds by the end of 2010, after having met its goal six months early to recycle 1 billion pounds of electronics.

"Environmental responsibility is good business," said Mark Hurd, HP chairman and chief executive, in a statement. "We've reached the tipping point where the price and performance of IT are no longer compromised by being green, but are now enhanced by it."

The company had set its initial goal in 2004 after reaching the half billion pound mark. It recycled a further half billion pounds in the following three years. The company is now committing to recover a cumulative 2 billion pounds of electronics and print cartridges by the end of 2010, doubling its annual recovery rate.

 

In 2006 alone, HP had recovered 187 million pounds of electronics globally, 73% more than IBM (News - Alert), its closest competitor.

 

HP’s global environmental strategy is based on designing for the environment, which includes product design, and also the management of HP's own operations and supply chain.

 

According to HP, 2007 marks the 20th anniversary of the introduction of HP recycling programs, which now operate in over 40 countries, regions and territories. The programs aim at reducing the environmental impact of IT products, minimizing waste going to landfills and helping customers conveniently manage products at their end of life in an environmentally sound manner.

HP recycles the plastics and metals recovered from its products. They are used to make a variety of new products, including auto body parts, clothes hangers, plastic toys, fence posts, serving trays and roof tiles.

Additionally, HP provides a wide range of product end-of-life management services including donation, trade-in, asset recovery and leasing.

Calvin Azuri is a contributing writer for TMCnet