HP and the Environment
From Lauraibm
Contents |
Summary
What the Vendor says about itself
HP's commitment to environmentally sustainable development
HP is committed to being an industry leader in global citizenship by working to create a sustainable future for all. For HP, sustainability means integrating long term economic, environmental and social dimensions into the way we operate our business. Our environmental commitment is to reduce the environmental impact of our products, services and operations, thereby enabling both HP and our customers to operate more sustainably.
Designing for the environment
HP developed its Design for Environment (DfE) program over 10 years ago with the goal of reducing the environmental impact of products and services. In addition to meeting safety and regulatory requirements, our objective is to design products that use fewer materials, are more energy efficient, and are easier to recycle, while maximizing overall value for our customers.
A robust network of product stewards implements our DfE program in each of our businesses and geographies. Product stewards work with product designers, R&D teams and customers to identify, prioritize, and recommend environmental design innovations.
Driving environmental performance of global operations
HP was one of the first global businesses to implement a comprehensive environmental management system (EMS). HP’s EMS drives performance in all facets of our operations. We created systems and various audit processes to ensure that our facilities and operations incorporate waste minimization, energy conservation and recycling programs. Our EMS programs enabled HP to be one of the first global businesses to achieve company-wide ISO 14001 certification of our worldwide manufacturing operations.
Delivering climate change and energy solutions
HP recognizes that global issues such as climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, energy conservation and the impacts of the Kyoto Protocol are concerns shared by many of our key stakeholders. We believe companies, countries, governments, and people around the world need to work together to effectively address global climate change. While many debate these issues, HP is actively working to reduce greenhouse gases, improve the energy efficiency of our products and operations, and influence employee behaviors to reduce the environmental impact of internal operations.
'Recycling solutions for products and printing supplies'
Electronic waste, or “E-waste,” is a growing environmental concern. Worldwide regulatory trends highlight the need for companies to consider the impacts of their products at the end of their useful lives. Our vision at HP is to offer recycling services wherever we sell our products worldwide.
We currently provide a convenient way to recycle used IT hardware products from any manufacturer in an environmentally sound manner. HP has established strategic partnerships with leading recycling companies around the world. As part of HP’s environmental commitment, we have requirements in place that ensure e-waste received for processing by HP at our facilities is managed responsibly.
Over a decade ago, HP was a pioneer in developing a convenient and free method for customers to recycle LaserJet supplies. Today, this recycling program has expanded to include inkjet supplies, and is now available in each region throughout the world. Tens of millions of HP LaserJet and inkjet print cartridges have been recycled, and thousands of tons of materials have been diverted from landfills.
Partnering with suppliers for social and environmental performance
We recognize the importance of working with our suppliers to optimize social and environmental performance. In accordance with HP’s commitment to global citizenship, HP sets clear expectations for our product and material suppliers. These suppliers must meet HP requirements regarding environmental, occupational health and safety, labor, and human rights issues. Working together with suppliers, HP is building the systems, processes and structures to minimize the social and environmental impact of our design, manufacturing and operational practices.
Future directions
As a leader in corporate citizenship, HP is committed to proactively addressing global environmental challenges. We will continue to build partnerships with key stakeholders and communities; develop innovative technologies and business solutions; and balance the interests of our corporation with the needs of the environment.
(1)
Environmental, Health and Safety Policy
Hewlett-Packard is committed to conducting its business in a manner that delivers leading Environmental, Health and Safety performance. This is consistent with our commitment to corporate citizenship, social responsibility and sustainability.
Our goals are to provide products and services that are safe and environmentally sound throughout their lifecycles, conduct our operations in an environmentally responsible manner, and create health and safety practices and work environments that enable HP employees to work injury-free.
To accomplish this, we will:
- Meet or exceed all applicable legal requirements
- Aggressively pursue pollution prevention, energy conservation and waste reduction in our operations
- Design and manufacture our products to be safe to use and to minimize their environmental impact
- Offer our customers environmentally responsible end-of-life management services for HP products
- Require our suppliers to conduct their operations in a socially and environmentally responsible manner
We achieve this high level of performance by integrating these objectives into our business planning, decision-making, performance tracking and review processes to ensure we achieve our goals and continually improve upon them.
Each employee has an individual responsibility to understand and support our environmental, health and safety policies and to actively participate in programs to ensure our goals are achieved.
We believe our company must work with employees, suppliers, partners, customers, and governmental, nongovernmental and community organizations to protect and enhance health, safety and the environment. We foster open dialogue with our stakeholders to share relevant information, and contribute to the development of sound public policy and business initiatives.
(2)
HP Environment: Operational Management
In May 2006, we announced a new program of facilities consolidation. The HP Workplace Transformation program provides us the opportunity to improve our space utilization and install more energy-efficient equipment. Our goal is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from HP owned and HP leased facilities worldwide to 15% below 2006 levels by 2010.
Our environmental, health and safety (EHS) management system helps us to identify, evaluate, control, manage and reduce environmental impacts in all our facilities. The system accommodates regular changes in our operations and ensures compliance with regulations and company standards. See Management system for more information.
Our environmental management also creates cost savings. In 2006, we saved $4.9 million dollars by recycling 87.3% of the solid waste generated from our large U.S. sites (compared to landfill or incineration costs). Our reuse program accounts for about 60% of the savings and recycling rebates provide the remaining 40%.
HP's most significant environmental aspects from operations and main focus areas have remained consistent for the last several years:
- Energy use
- Solid waste (nonhazardous and hazardous)
The other environmental aspects that we also monitor and manage are:
- Fossil fuel use for HP owned vehicles, business travel and employee commuting
- Water use in our facilities
- Chemical use in manufacturing (PFCs, air emissions, chemical releases) and facilities (ozone depleting substances)
Each year we analyze the main environmental aspects of our operations to determine which are the most significant and where we should prioritize our efforts. Our annual review focuses on:
- Significant changes to our operations, causing us to increase or decrease attention to environmental aspects
- Regional variations in our operations environmental impacts
- Trends in our environmental data
- Significant accidents or violations
- External views including issues raised by socially responsible investors
(3)
Climate
Governments, businesses and individuals must all play a role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that cause climate change. Increasingly, our customers and shareholders expect us to decrease our climate impact. Against a background of rising global energy prices, there is a strong business case for investing in energy efficient technology. HP continues to lead the IT industry in reducing the energy used by our operations and products.
Greenhouse gas emissions
HP's most significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from operations is energy consumption, primarily electricity. Energy use accounts for 97% of our GHG emissions. Our environmental operations strategy focuses on consolidating our operations into core sites, with our HP Workplace Transformation initiative enabling us to improve space utilization and install more energy efficient equipment, in a phased approach over time. Our goal is to reduce energy consumption and the resulting carbon dioxide emissions from HP owned and HP leased facilities worldwide to 15% below 2006 levels, by 2010.
We are expanding our use of renewable energy, by purchasing green electricity and installing onsite generation at selected locations.
Performance Although our total energy use in operations decreased by 1% from 2005 to 2006, our 2006 emissions of greenhouse gases increased 3% or by 47,200 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. This is due to changes in the global energy mix for electricity generation. In April 2006, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) updated its GHG Protocol emission factors for electricity generation, to reflect these changes. Using the old factors, HP's GHG emissions would have decreased 5%.
Emissions per unit of floor space increased 5% due to the changes in electricity conversion factors and a 2% reduction in floor space. Emissions per unit revenue, a measure of overall efficiency, decreased by 3%.
(4)
Source
- 4. Climate
