Monday, 4 February 2008

HP Innovates “Closed Loop” Inkjet Cartridge Recycling Program, Gives Plastic Water Bottles Second Life

Hewlett Packard (HP) has apparently developed an engineering breakthrough that enables the use of post-consumer recycled plastics in the production of new Original HP inkjet print cartridges.

According to the computer giant, more than 200 million cartridges have been manufactured using the process thus far and it has used more than 5 million pounds of recycled plastic in its inkjet cartridges last year, and 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.

“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.”