14 DAY TRIAL // HP announced today that it has met its goal of recycling one billion pound of used electronic components and that its net target is set for two billion by 2010. In 2004, the company set its initial goal after it reached the half a billion mark and in the next three years, it went on recycling another half of billion pounds. Aiming to double its recovery rate, HP thinks that more recycling will lead to a better business. Anyway, HP is leading the race of electronic components recycling, its closest competitor being IBM but with a 73% lower rate of recovery.
"Environmental responsibility is good business," said Mark Hurd, HP chairman and chief executive officer. "We've reached the tipping point where the price and performance of IT are no longer compromised by being green, but are now enhanced by it."
HP's environmental strategy is based on a nature-friendly design, as well as encouraging its customers to recycle most of HP's depleted or obsolete products. HP says it is committed to make it practical for all its customers to be environmentally responsible, being them individuals or enterprises. Research investments and the development of nature-friendly materials in order to further manage the impact of HP's products is also a priority.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the inception of HP's recycling program, which now operates in more than 40 countries. The program's goal is to reduce the environmental impact of IT products, minimize waste, and help customers manage products at their life's end. Plastics and metals obtained from products recycled by HP have been used to make a range of new products, including auto body parts, clothes hangers, plastic toys, fence posts, serving trays and roof tiles. In addition to recycling, HP offers a variety of product end-of-life management services including donation, trade-in, asset recovery and leasing.