IT Manufacturer Seeks to Move to Low-Carbon Circular Economy & Grow Revenues : HP Sustainability Report Highlights Increased Use of Recycled Materials
Computing and IT giant, HP, has released its 2018 Sustainable Impact Report outlining its commitment to people, the planet and driving a low-carbon circular economy
The Palo Alto, California based tech industry stalwart explained that its Sustainable Impact Report includes the goal increase recycled content plastics across its print and personal systems portfolio to 30% by 2025. The report documents the progress HP is making and the business benefits of investing in the planet, people and communities. Sustainable Impact programs drove more than $972 million dollars of new revenue for HP in 2018, a 35% year-over-year increase.
“Companies have critically important roles to play in solving societal challenges, and we continue to reinvent HP to meet the needs of our changing world,” said Dion Weisler, President & Chief Executive Officer, HP Inc. “This isn’t a nice to do, it’s a business imperative.”
“Brands that lead with purpose and stand for more than the products they sell will create the most value for customers, shareholders and society as a whole,” he continued. “Together with our partners, we will build on our progress and find innovative new ways to turn the challenges of today into the opportunities of tomorrow.”
Tackling global plastic waste
According to HP, its new recycled content plastics goal builds on the company’s long legacy of leadership in this area. In 2018, HP used 21,250 tonnes of recycled plastic in HP products – including more than 8,000 tonnes in its Personal Systems products (a 3.5% increase from 2017), more than 4,700 tonnes in its printing products (a 280% increase from 2017) and more than 8,000 tonnes in Original HP ink and toner cartridges.
“We have invested in our portfolio so that recycled plastic becomes a part of our durable, premium products,” said George Brasher, MD for HP UK and Ireland. “Our business priority is to drive a more efficient, circular and low carbon economy and our advancements such as 3D printing are further helping to drive down emissions in the manufacturing supply chain - making life better for everyone, everywhere.”
As part of this commitment, HP continues to invest in and scale its impact sourcing initiative to prevent post-consumer plastic from entering our waterways and oceans. HP has already sourced approximately 700,000 pounds of ocean-bound plastic materials—or more than 25 million bottles—upcycling this material into HP cartridges and hardware. This year, HP launched the EliteDisplay E273d – the world’s first display manufactured with ocean plastic.
Together with its partners, including NextWave Plastics, HP is said that it committed to scaling the use of ocean-bound plastics by developing the first global network of ocean-bound plastics supply chains.
In partnership with Dr Jenna Jambeck and Dr Chris Cuomo from the University of Georgia, HP is sponsoring research on women’s crucial work in recycling and managing waste, specifically ocean-bound plastics.
By focusing on the experiences of women working on the frontlines of plastic recycling, this research will serve as a basis for future projects and commitments involving informal waste collection, the development of ocean-bound plastic supply chains, and greater gender equality worldwide. This research is underway now and is scheduled to be released by early 2020.
Enabling customers to do more, with less impact
Recently, HP announced a sustainable publishing partnership with ELLE Magazine using its print on demand capabilities to deliver the industry’s first sustainable fashion magazine made from 100% recycled materials for the cover and 30% recycled materials for the pages within the magazine.
HP also announced an innovative partnership with SmileDirectClub, the pioneer of teledentistry and market leader in doctor-directed, remote clear aligner therapy.SmileDirectClub is powering its digital differentiation and rapid manufacturing expansion of clear aligners with HP’s Jet Fusion 3D printing solutions, making it the largest producer of Multi Jet Fusion 3D printed parts in the United States.
As part of an expanded collaboration, HP and SmileDirectClub also announced a new recycling program, in which excess 3D material and already processed plastic mouth molds are recycled by HP and turned into pellets for traditional injection molding, leading to more sustainable production.
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