HP last week announced it is launching a new line of sustainably sourced paper and partnering with several major office supply retailers to expand its customer recycling options.
The HP Everyday Paper line in North America is now certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which makes the company one of the region’s first major office paper providers to offer a complete portfolio of paper that is entirely FSC certified. The North American certification joins HP’s existing FSC-certified portfolio in Latin America.
The FSC has earned a global reputation as one of the most rigorous and credible independent certification standards available for ensuring that products come from responsibly managed forests. The overall mission of the FSC is to meet this generation’s need for forest products without compromising the health of the world’s forests for future generations.
HP is working with its long-time partner International Paper Company (IPC) to use fiber from responsibly managed forests. More than 40 percent of HP’s total tonnage worldwide is now FSC-certified and/or contains at least 30 percent post-consumer waste. HP’s goal is that 50 percent or more of HP-branded paper will be FSC-certified or have at least 30 percent post-consumer waste content by the end of 2015.
Last month IPC became a member of the Global Forest & Trade Network in North America, a World Wildlife Fund initiative focused on eliminating illegal logging and promoting environmentally and socially responsible forest management.
HP’s also announced plans to expand its cartridge return and recycling program, HP Planet Partners, through a collaboration with retailers such as Office Depot, Office Max, Staples and Walmart. The initiative enables customers to recycle used Original HP cartridges, making them a critical part of the company’s “closed loop” plastics recycling process. To date, HP says customers worldwide have recycled more than half a billion HP ink and LaserJet toner cartridges.
Through this and other efforts, HP aims to recycle 3.5 billion pounds of electronic products and supplies by the end of 2015.
“Our customers want printing solutions that offer quality and reliability, with proven environmental performance,” said Annukka Dickens, director of HP's Americas Environmental Leadership Team. “HP’s approach includes innovative and environmentally sustainable product design, and free and easy return and recycling to help customers reach their sustainability goals.”
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Founder, Hower Impact
Mike Hower is the founder of Hower Impact — a boutique consultancy delivering strategic communication advisory and support for corporate sustainability, ESG and climate tech.
Published Apr 26, 2013 1am EDT / 10pm PDT / 6am BST / 7am CEST