HP announced it has recycled approximately 140 million pounds of hardware and HP print cartridges globally in its just ended fiscal year -- an increase of 17 percent over the previous year.
In addition, HP collected more than 50 million pounds of hardware -- to be refurbished for resale or donated.
To date, HP has recycled more than 750 million pounds of hardware and HP print cartridges globally, well on the way to meeting its goal to recycle 1 billion cumulative pounds by the end of 2007.
HP intends to reach its global recycling goal by expanding its product return and recycling program to more customers and creating new ways for customers to return and recycle used or unwanted electronic equipment and HP print cartridges in a convenient and environmentally responsible manner. New recycling initiatives launched this year include:
-- HP began a free hardware recycling service for commercial and enterprise customers in European Union countries who purchase replacement HP products, in advance of the implementation of the EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. A similar offer exists for HP commercial customers in the Asia Pacific region.
-- In the United States, HP partnered with retailers to offer free recycling at drop-off events throughout the year in San Diego and Roseville, Calif., Minneapolis, Minn., and Bentonville, Ark. HP offered similar initiatives in Germany and Australia.
-- In China, HP initiated a public-private sector partnership with Global Village of Beijing, the Jane Goodall Institute, and Roots and Shoots Shanghai and Beijing to increase awareness of print cartridge recycling among consumers and to provide residents of Beijing and Shanghai with a convenient and easy way to return HP print cartridges for free and environmentally responsible recycling.