Environmental Group Applauds HP’s E-Waste Export Policy

Hewlett Packard has announced a new policy that prohibits the export of toxic electronic waste from developed countries to any developing country, according to a press release issued by the Electronics Takeback Coalition.

The San Francisco-based Electronics TakeBack Coalition, which promotes responsible recycling and green design in the electronics industry, has released a statement applauding HP’s e-waste policy as a high standard in the industry.

“This announcement shows that HP is an environmental leader in this industry,” says Barbara Kyle, national coordinator for the ETC. “Companies managing e-waste need strict programs in place to prevent pushing our problems on developing nations and to stem the stream of toxic waste. With this policy, HP is making a commitment to do their part to stop the global dumping of e-waste.”

Specifically, HP will not export non-working electronic equipment or parts from developed to developing nations, unless they are deemed non-hazardous, according to definitions under the Basel Convention – an international treaty on toxic waste trade.

“The U.S. doesn’t have laws that make it illegal to dump our e-waste on developing nations,” says Jim Puckett, executive director of the Basel Action Network. “HP should be commended for this new policy, which goes beyond U.S. laws.”

According to the ETC, an August 2008 report by the Government Accountability Office found that “a substantial amount (of obsolete electronics) ends up in countries such as China and India, where they are often handled and disposed of unsafely. These countries often lack the capacity to safely handle and dispose of used electronics if the units are not in reusable condition when received, and the countries’ extremely low labor costs and the reported lack of effective environmental controls make unsafe recycling commonplace.”

“It’s important that HP is taking voluntary steps to make sure the e-waste they control isn’t getting dumped on poor countries, but there will still be millions of pounds of e-waste exported by others each year, unless Congress takes action to stop it,” says Barbara Kyle. “We urge Congress to pass legislation modeled on HP’s policy that ensures that we aren’t exporting our e-waste problem to other countries.”