As one of the world’s foremost technology companies, HP has a well-deserved reputation for innovation, creativity, and performance. Yet each of these values extend far beyond the company’s diverse offering of products and services, and inform the HP approach to one of the most pressing issues of our time: sustainability. Over the past decade the company has developed a three-part approach to sustainability that targets the three key areas of planet, people, and community. This has led to a radical shift throughout HP, which now measures success by how their actions and product suite help shape a sustainable future for the planet and its inhabitants.
Planning for the Planet
Like their extensive catalogue of IT solutions, HP’s strategy for sustainability is future-focused. Company-wide goals establish a framework and enable the measurement of progress and include a pledge to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity of the HP portfolio by 25% between 2010 and 2020. By the end of 2017 HP had far exceeded this goal, achieving a 33% decrease in GHG emissions; that same year, the company hit 50% renewable energy use in their global operations, surpassing their interim goal of 40% renewable energy by 2020.
The figures and rate of progress are astounding, and a testament to HP’s commitment to environmental sustainability at all stages of the product life cycle. Alongside lower-impact manufacturing processes, the company has worked to deliver greater sustainability at the post-consumer stage. As a participant in the Cartridges 4 Planet Ark (CP4A) program, HP provides consumers and businesses with the option to close the loop on used printer cartridges and other technology, enabling usable parts and materials to re-enter the product life cycle. Today, 80% of Original HP ink cartridges and 100% of Original HP toner cartridges are made with recycled material, while as of 2017 more than 18 000 tonnes of recycled plastic were used across the HP catalogue. By 2020, the company aims to incorporate 1.2 million tonnes of recycled plastic into their product offering.
At a smaller scale, HP enables businesses to significantly reduce their own environmental impact. Independent third party analysis has shown that HP PageWide technology can reduce the carbon footprint of an office by up to 55% per printer, in addition to reducing supply and packaging waste by 90% and slashing energy consumption by 73% when compared to other laser printers.
Embracing Diversity
HP understands that a diverse, inspired team is essential to creating lasting positive change. As such, the HP commitment to diversity underpins all aspects of the company’s operation, which prioritises inclusion and empowerment for workers across the entire value chain. Human rights advocacy group and not-for-profit KnowTheChain has recognised HP as a leading IT company that combats forced labour in the supply chain, and as a front-runner in socially sustainable, equitable production: by choosing HP products, consumers support a company that champions fair treatment, safe working conditions, and freely chosen work. HP has implemented a number of supply chain sustainability programs across their global facilities, and seen factory participation in these increase by 6% since 2015.
Empowering Communities
At the heart of HP’s sustainability strategy is a commitment to delivering technology that connects communities and enhances life for everyone, everywhere. Recognising that sustainability is a positive force for the environment, businesses, and society, the company has set its sights on growing the business without growing its carbon footprint. To achieve this, the company works closely with their partners, peers, and consumers to educate and inspire on the importance of sustainability. The ongoing HP Energy Efficiency Program has helped more than 200 supplier sites in China and South East Asia dramatically reduce their electricity consumption and carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions, and the company is on track to achieving its goal of helping global suppliers eliminate 2 million tonnes of CO2e emissions between 2010 and 2025.
Beyond this, HP invests in a number of community empowerment programs. In 2017, HP Australia launched the HP Kids Fund, a $500 000 initiative to boost digital literacy in Australian students and impart valuable future-facing skills including coding, collaboration, and critical thinking.
HP is a proud sponsor of Architecture & Design’s 2019 Sustainability Awards. Learn more about their involvement and commitment to sustainability here.
