Tackling plastics and plans to combat climate change: HP is leading the way with a sustainable and planet-friendly strategy

Modern WorkplacePublished 8th December 2021

HP HP has a long history of sustainable operations. In 1987 they were the first PC manufacturer to offer recycling programs and then five years later, developed the design for their sustainability program. Fast forward to 2020, they achieved zero deforestation associated with HP brand paper and packaging.

642,300 tonnes

of hardware and supplies recycled since the beginning of 2016

With growing concerns about climate change, HP has taken the initiative to create more ambitious goals over the next 30 years. They are setting the bar in the technology and print industry with their sustainability endeavours.

HP is determined to reduce the amount of ocean-bound plastics globally by incorporating them into new products, a win for both consumers and the environment. In 2019, they proudly announced the first use of ocean-bound plastic in PC products.

Ocean-bound plastics are any plastic products found within 30 miles of a waterway or coastal area that have not been collected and are not likely to be, according to NextWave Plastics, an HP partner. Much of that waste finds its way into the water, putting sea life and their habitat at risk.

25,000 tonnes

of recycled plastic was used in HP hardware and supplies during 2019

HP’s goal is to take plastic that would otherwise end up in the ocean and upcycle it to create new HP hardware and print supplies through our HP Planet Partners recycling program. They also launched the world’s first notebook, display, mobile workstation and enterprise Chromebook using ocean-bound plastics.

Tackling plastics in the future

  1. Goal: 30% postconsumer plastic to be used in PCs/printers (2025)

  2. Goal: 75% elimination of single-use plastic packaging

  3. Goal: 1.2 million tonnes of products recycled by 2025

HP Sustainability

HP also leads the industry with most Gold EPEAT products. The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool is a method for purchasers to evaluate the effect a product has on the environment.

As well as planning to reduce product use GHG emissions intensity by 30% by 2025, the strategy also includes the aim to use 30% post-consumer recycled content plastic across HP’s personal systems and print product portfolio by the same year.

So far, they’ve sourced more than 60 million bottles of ocean-bound plastic, and have also announced a new goal to eliminate 75% of single-use plastic packaging by 2025 compared to 2018. They also launched the world’s first notebook, display, mobile workstation and enterprise Chromebook -- using ocean-bound plastics.

Recycled Product Materials

HP Sustainability

Increasing the use of recycled content in HP products

  • HP Elite Dragonfly
  • HP Renew Sleeve - HP’s first sleeve made from recycled plastic
  • HP U28 4K HDR Monitor - First consumer monitor made from 5% ocean-bound plastic

“World’s First” innovations from HP

HP Sustainability

Using ocean-bound plastic material

What else is HP Doing?

  • Eliminating the plastic cushions of over 3.2 M desktops, thereby eliminating over 831 metric tonnes of plastic foam in FY19.
  • Eliminating the plastic cushions of over 3.4 M notebooks, approximately 214 metric tonnes of plastic foam in FY19.
  • 4.6 billion new HP ink or toner cartridges with recycled content.
  • Phasing out hard-to-recycle expanded plastic foam cushions in favour of readily recyclable, 100% recycled content moulded pulp cushions for HP commercial and consumer desktop towers, for HP commercial and consumer notebooks

For more information about HP's Sustainable Impact, click here

Contact the Team

Speak to the TD SYNNEX HP Team to learn more!