A run between gadget companies to become an industrial leader in reducing their impact on the environment has begun. Giving a tough competition to all the competitors is HP, a company that is committed toward reducing energy consumption along with greenhouse gas emissions. HP Eco Solutions, a program by the company, helps customers identify products and services designed with the environment in mind.
Goals achieved so far:
HP became the first computer manufacturer to operate its own recycling facility in 1997. Ever since the company has set high recycling goals in order to save the planet. It is dedicated toward recycling unwanted computer hardware and printing supplies responsibly. Already 650,000 tonnes have been recycled and more than 125,000 tonnes have been reused. The energy consumption of its highest volume desktop and notebook PCs has already been reduced by 41 percent since 2005. HP met its goal of reducing combined energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions of HP operations and products to 25 percent below 2005 levels by 2010, over a year early.
Future targets:
HP has set high targets that it aims to achieve in the coming years. It is planning to reduce the energy consumption and associated GHG emissions of all products to 40 percent below 2005 levels by the end of 2011. The average weight of printer packaging for imaging and Printing Group products will be cut down by 35 percent. HP will use at least 35 percent recycled paper in cardboard packaging for printers and reduce the amount of plastic used in printer packaging by 50 percent, relative to 2005. The company is also heading toward reduce GHG emissions from HP-owned and HP-leased facilities 20 percent under 2005 levels by 2013 on an absolute basis.
Programs to save the planet:
HP has a project called The Epicenter for Climate Conservation and Climate Witness to its name, which focuses on analysis, research and data collection in order to reduce HP’s greenhouse gas emissions, improve product energy use, and educate and inspire others to do the same. The company has collaborated with the World Wildlife Fund and other business leaders in order to encourage the U.S. Senate to pass a bill that will reduce U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases, stimulate technological innovation, invest in effective solutions and develop a clean energy economy, both in the U.S. and around the world. It also joined forces with Market Velocity, Inc. to facilitate donations of used or unwanted technology equipment. It became the first company to be privileged to use US EPA’s SmartWay logo on its product packaging. In 2008, HP was honored with a Smartway Excellence Award for its contribution in sustainable transportation practices.