From Plastic-Free Oceans to Carbon-Free Energy, HP is All in on Sustainability

HP is going after three key concerns that have a significant environmental footprint: efficiency of print processes, ocean-bound plastics that affect marine life and global climate change that requires immediate attention.  

The pulp and paper industry is the world’s fourth largest consumer of energy and a significant chunk of all paper production is used for printing. Therefore, printing processes constantly drive a high energy demand, which contributes to greater carbon emissions.

HP recently introduced the HP PageWide Plus Package aimed at improving printing efficiency and versatility with the following components:

HP is launching the Smart Workcell Controller for heavy print workflows this summer. This tool can automate print job analysis, which reduces labour costs, cuts turnaround time and optimizes paper usage.

It also enhances press workflows for flexible handling of various print jobs, with the ability to boost productivity up to 15 times. HP professional services will help integrate this tool into existing and new workflows, making implementation easier.

This new printing mode is designed for customers with high-volume print job requirements such as mail envelopes, transactions and publishing material. It helps customers print at 60 percent higher productivity at a speed of 800 fpm without compromising on print quality. It drives sustainability by bringing down ink usage, labour costs and power consumption.

About eight million tonnes of plastic enters the ocean each year, posing risks to aquatic life and populations who depend on seafood. This emphasizes the need to protect ocean habitats to ensure the sustainability of our planet.

HP has partnered with organizations to upcycle plastic bottles collected in Haiti into recycled products. So far, this effort, which was used for making HP ink cartridges, has saved 550,000 pounds of plastic from entering the oceans. This initiative not only helps reduce ocean-bound plastic but also creates economic opportunities for Haitians.

In partnership with NextWave Coalition, a group of global businesses committed to scaling the use of ocean-bound plastics, HP aims to develop a global network of ocean-bound plastic supply chains.

The company’s long-standing commitment to closed-loop recycling has resulted in significant progress. HP has produced billions of ink and toner cartridges using recycled materials, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of sustainable practices.

In addition to these collaborations, HP focuses on sustainable product development and recycling. Many of their products, like the HP OfficeJet Pro 9025 and HP Tango printers, are Energy Star certified.

The HP EliteDisplay E273d USB-C docking monitor’s display components are built with ocean-bound plastics, making it an environmentally friendly desktop companion. It also features connectivity for other devices via USB-C and is Energy Star certified as well.

The HP ENVY laptop line, which offers 13-inch or 17-inch options, comes with improved energy efficiency that helps you obtain longer battery life and lower your power costs.

Poly videoconferencing products, such as the Poly Studio G62, use post-consumer recycled plastics and recycled metals in their hardware, which aligns with the company’s sustainability goals.

Poly’s portfolio also includes Poly Voyager Focus 2, Voyager 4300, Voyager 5200, Poly Blackwire 3200 and Blackwire 8225 that are all TCO certified and adhere to global IT product sustainability standards. This designation signifies the organization’s socially and environmentally responsible practices.

They also offer a sustainability buyer's guide to help consumers make eco-friendly choices. Their recycling programs for cartridges and old hardware further demonstrate HP's commitment to reducing environmental impact.

The rising number of natural calamities caused by climate change have taken a mounting toll on the global population with devastating wildfires, floods and rising temperatures. HP, in light of the ongoing climate situation, has announced a set of climate action goals:

• Achieve deep emission reductions and enable transparent price signals by removing fossil fuel subsidies.
• Incentivize initiatives that can help the company move towards renewable electricity, electric vehicles and a smart grid.
• Prioritize the creation of a digital economy that thrives on clean energy.
• Transition to a circular, net zero economy while addressing disadvantaged communities and workers impacted by climate change
• Support the Scopes 1, 2 and 3 of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and aim to achieve reduction targets.

HP’s current initiatives to reduce energy efficiency in the print segment and achieve plastic-free oceans go a long way in realizing its mission. The company is also setting new milestones for carbon-free energy across its worldwide offices.