HP Innovates ''Closed Loop'' Inkjet Cartridge from Plastic Water Bottles
Source: HP
Published: Thursday, January 31, 2008
Published: Thursday, January 31, 2008
In an industry first, HP (NYSE:HPQ) announced it has developed an engineering breakthrough that enables the use of post-consumer recycled plastics in the production of new Original HP inkjet print cartridges.
More than 200 million cartridges have been manufactured using the
process thus far. HP used more than 5 million pounds of recycled
plastic in its inkjet cartridges last year, and the company is
committed to using twice as much in 2008.
The company's innovative recycling process facilitates the
combination of multiple sources and grades of recycled plastics - from
everyday water bottles to highly technical HP inkjet cartridges.
In addition to closing the design loop, using recycled content
saves energy and keeps plastic out of landfills - since first piloting
the process, HP has used enough recycled plastic to fill more than 200
tractor trailers.(1)
"By developing the technology to use recycled plastics in Original
HP inkjet print cartridges, we have the opportunity to reduce the
environmental impact HP products have on the planet," said Michael
Hoffmann, senior vice president, Supplies, Imaging and Printing Group,
HP. "HP's considerable investments in building a recycling
infrastructure made this achievement possible, and this is just the
beginning of what we hope to accomplish."
Innovation without compromise
In developing this process, HP engineers, chemists and partners
dedicated themselves to finding a way to provide the environmental
benefits of using recycled materials while still delivering the
uncompromising quality and reliability customers count on from HP.
HP inkjet cartridges returned through HP's Planet Partners program
undergo a multi-phase recycling process that reduces them to raw
materials such as plastics and metals. HP combines plastic from the
inkjet cartridges with recycled bottle resin and a suite of
compounding additives to ensure all recycled materials meet HP's
high-performance standards.
The amount of recycled content in these HP inkjet cartridges may
vary between 70 to 100 percent of the total plastic used, but the
reliability results for each product are stringently tested and
consistent across the lineup.
And unlike companies that simply remanufacture cartridges, HP has
found a way to mold these recycled plastic components into new
Original HP inkjet cartridges.
Honored by the industry
In recognition of HP's inventive approach to using recycled
content, the Society of Plastics Engineers, a trade organization for
plastics professionals, plans to present HP with its most prestigious
environmental stewardship award at the Global Plastics Environmental
Conference in March.
"HP's use of recycled plastic in an application as technically
demanding as their inkjet cartridges represents an unprecedented
engineering innovation," said Larry Koester, vice president of
Communications, Environmental Division, Society of Plastics Engineers.
"This remarkable achievement comes after many years of perseverance
and ingenuity by HP and their partners."
Designing with the environment in mind
HP's approach to environmental management of its print cartridges
considers every facet of the product lifecycle - from design to
manufacture to recycling. Incorporating recycled plastics in Original
HP inkjet cartridges closes the loop on this lifecycle management.
Using recycled content is the latest advancement from HP's Design
for Environment program, which reduces the environmental impact of HP
cartridges through material usage, ease of recycling and packaging
efficiency.
HP's Planet Partners return and recycling program provides free
and convenient cartridge returns in more than 45 countries, regions
and territories. Customers can be confident in HP's environmental
management because cartridges returned through Planet Partners are
never refilled, resold or sent to a landfill.
More information on this announcement is available in an online
press kit at www.hp.com/go/recycledplastic.
HP and the environment
For decades HP has worked to manage its environmental impact by
adopting environmentally responsible practices in product development,
operations and supply chain. The company strives to be a global leader
in reducing its carbon footprint, limiting waste and recycling
responsibly. HP's efforts earned it recognition as one of Fortune
Magazine's "Ten Green Giants" in April 2007. More information about
the company's work in relation to the environment is available at
www.hp.com/environment.
More than 200 million cartridges have been manufactured using the
process thus far. HP used more than 5 million pounds of recycled
plastic in its inkjet cartridges last year, and the company is
committed to using twice as much in 2008.
The company's innovative recycling process facilitates the
combination of multiple sources and grades of recycled plastics - from
everyday water bottles to highly technical HP inkjet cartridges.
In addition to closing the design loop, using recycled content
saves energy and keeps plastic out of landfills - since first piloting
the process, HP has used enough recycled plastic to fill more than 200
tractor trailers.(1)
"By developing the technology to use recycled plastics in Original
HP inkjet print cartridges, we have the opportunity to reduce the
environmental impact HP products have on the planet," said Michael
Hoffmann, senior vice president, Supplies, Imaging and Printing Group,
HP. "HP's considerable investments in building a recycling
infrastructure made this achievement possible, and this is just the
beginning of what we hope to accomplish."
Innovation without compromise
In developing this process, HP engineers, chemists and partners
dedicated themselves to finding a way to provide the environmental
benefits of using recycled materials while still delivering the
uncompromising quality and reliability customers count on from HP.
HP inkjet cartridges returned through HP's Planet Partners program
undergo a multi-phase recycling process that reduces them to raw
materials such as plastics and metals. HP combines plastic from the
inkjet cartridges with recycled bottle resin and a suite of
compounding additives to ensure all recycled materials meet HP's
high-performance standards.
The amount of recycled content in these HP inkjet cartridges may
vary between 70 to 100 percent of the total plastic used, but the
reliability results for each product are stringently tested and
consistent across the lineup.
And unlike companies that simply remanufacture cartridges, HP has
found a way to mold these recycled plastic components into new
Original HP inkjet cartridges.
Honored by the industry
In recognition of HP's inventive approach to using recycled
content, the Society of Plastics Engineers, a trade organization for
plastics professionals, plans to present HP with its most prestigious
environmental stewardship award at the Global Plastics Environmental
Conference in March.
"HP's use of recycled plastic in an application as technically
demanding as their inkjet cartridges represents an unprecedented
engineering innovation," said Larry Koester, vice president of
Communications, Environmental Division, Society of Plastics Engineers.
"This remarkable achievement comes after many years of perseverance
and ingenuity by HP and their partners."
Designing with the environment in mind
HP's approach to environmental management of its print cartridges
considers every facet of the product lifecycle - from design to
manufacture to recycling. Incorporating recycled plastics in Original
HP inkjet cartridges closes the loop on this lifecycle management.
Using recycled content is the latest advancement from HP's Design
for Environment program, which reduces the environmental impact of HP
cartridges through material usage, ease of recycling and packaging
efficiency.
HP's Planet Partners return and recycling program provides free
and convenient cartridge returns in more than 45 countries, regions
and territories. Customers can be confident in HP's environmental
management because cartridges returned through Planet Partners are
never refilled, resold or sent to a landfill.
More information on this announcement is available in an online
press kit at www.hp.com/go/recycledplastic.
HP and the environment
For decades HP has worked to manage its environmental impact by
adopting environmentally responsible practices in product development,
operations and supply chain. The company strives to be a global leader
in reducing its carbon footprint, limiting waste and recycling
responsibly. HP's efforts earned it recognition as one of Fortune
Magazine's "Ten Green Giants" in April 2007. More information about
the company's work in relation to the environment is available at
www.hp.com/environment.