CONTENT FROM HPAN ESTIMATED 8 MILLION METRIC TONS OF PLASTIC
flow into the ocean every year—on top of the
150 million metric tons already floating around,
according to scientific studies by Ocean Conser-
vancy. Eradicating this waste is one of the world’s
most pressing challenges, and companies in every
industry are implementing circular-economy
processes that revive “end of life” materials for
other purposes.
HP Inc. has pioneered circular models for
more than two decades through efforts includingHP Planet Partners, a print cartridge recycling
program enabled by networks HP built around
the world. So far, the program has recycled more
than 875 million HP ink and toner cartridges and
turned them into new supplies. The effort—which
lets customers return spent supplies free of
charge—spans 68 countries and territories.
Partners Sims Lifecycle Services, PDR,
Butler-MacDonald, and Lavergne have contrib-
uted to HP’s advances in recycling, disassembly,
shredding, and resin development. “ We believe
collaboration is essential to achieve the scale,
innovation, and speed necessary to address the
plastics impacting our oceans,” says Guillaume
Gerardin, global head and general manager of
print supplies at HP.
Four years ago, HP started gathering and
processing ocean-bound plastic waste in Haiti
that was at risk of contributing to ocean waste. In
October, HP expanded that work by opening a new
facility and a $2 million washing line built to sup-
port local collectors under coordination of NGOs
First Mile and Work. To date, they have diverted
nearly 770 metric tons of plastic and created
more than 1,100 local income opportunities,
while providing children with quality education,
food, and medical assistance. “ The community
impact is crucial to creating a system that can
endure and deliver on the significant potential of
this program as it scales,” says Ellen Jackowski,
chief sustainability and social impact officer
at HP.
HP’s 10-year goal, which the company has
been working toward since 2016, is to recycle
1.2 million metric tons of hardware and printing
supplies by 2025. At last count, the company
was almost halfway there. Today, 82% of HP
ink cartridges and 100% of HP toner cartridges
include recycled content. HP development teams
are designing recovered materials into other PC,
print hardware, and printing supplies products.
HP’s focus on sustainable impact is tied to
a growing portion of its new sales—$1.6 billion
in 2019. The company is sharing best practices
with NextWave Plastics, an open-source initia-
tive, so its circular-economy work can be scaled
and replicated elsewhere. “HP is working to set
the industry standard for sustainability practices,
and as a member of NextWave Plastics, is ensur-
ing that the lessons they have learned are shared
among other industry leaders to make an even
greater impact,” says Dune Ives, CEO of Lonely
Whale, the convening entity of NextWave. “HP’s
creativity and commitment to their work in Haiti
in the face of a global pandemic is making waves
of positive change that simultaneously benefit
local communities, the ocean, and our future.” ■PROGRESS IN
THE CIRCULAR
ECONOMY
Closed-loop processes that upcycle ink andtoner printer cartridges and ocean-boundplastic bottles into new products arereducing plastic waste and creatingsustainable impact for local communities.