However, does this extend to the devices you use daily?
It’s no surprise that most manufactures continue stepping up to the challenge by releasing cleaner and greener machines. With this in mind, a front runner in the sustainable devices space must be HP.
HP has a rich legacy of climate responsibility. They have been listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for ten consecutive years, won ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year since 2017, and been ranked number one on Newsweek’s America’s Most Responsible Companies for three straight years. These awards have been given in large part because of HP’s ambitious four pillar sustainable device strategy, which includes: product circularity, sustainable materials, energy efficiency and forest positive.
These pillars align with common areas of concern seen among many device manufacturers. HP sets itself apart by having ambitious targets attached to each pillar and so far, they have been making considerable progress towards all of them. The difference can be felt in every aspect of new HP device fleets, making them a great option for any sustainably minded organisation.
HP’s product circularity is by far the pillar most worth noting. Many technology companies seem to have fallen behind with the longevity and repairability of their devices and HP is endeavouring to change that. Circularity is more than simply using sustainable materials; materials must also be used to their full potential to increase a product’s life and, in turn, reduce demand in the future.
In 1992, HP created the Design for the Environment program which has recently been rebranded as Design for Circularity. They are committed to extending their product’s lives through design, maintenance, upgrades, repairs and innovative service-based business models, in the hopes of creating a truly circular, net zero carbon economy. The aim is to achieve 75% circularity for all HP products and packaging by 2030. Their recent data reports they have 39% circularity by weight. Current generation HP devices are already leading the way in sustainability, and these figures suggest the best is yet to come.
Creating devices from sustainable materials is also fast becoming an expectation among consumers. HP, like many others, endeavours to use recycled and recyclable materials in their devices and are already halfway to their goal of using 30% postconsumer recycled plastic across their fleets by 2025.
HP has taken it a step further with an environmentally conscious approach to sourcing these materials. They are an industry leader in researching and practicing responsible chemistry, wherein they seek out safer alternatives to materials of concern; for example, 83% of personal HP devices are now low halogen.
They have also worked in Haiti since 2016 to create a self-reliant ocean bound plastic (OBP) supply chain. OBP is a growing challenge, and HP’s initiative not only gives HP device owners peace of mind but also has a positive environmental and social impact on the locations the OBP is sourced from. The equivalent of 102 million 500mL bottles have been saved from our oceans and put into HP devices like the HP Elite Dragonfly since 2016, with that number only expected to grow.
Another trending area of concern is energy consumption, as many of us are using our devices for over eight hours a day. HP is committed to reducing their customers’ energy consumption by creating more energy efficient devices. Approximately 85% of HP’s personal systems are recognised by ENERGY STAR as having superior energy efficiency, and 77% are registered as either gold or silver standard products by EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool). Overall, they have managed to reduce the energy consumption of their personal devices by an average of 18% since 2019.
Even more noteworthy is the progress HP have made towards their emissions targets. The carbon footprint of their global operations is down by 60% compared to 2015, and the emissions intensity of their products was reduced by 39% in 2021 alone. You can rest assured that both your device and the operation it came from are taking active steps to reducing carbon emissions and gluttonous energy consumption. A more energy efficient device will also save you and your business money in the long term, which is another bonus.
Finally, manufactures are becoming more conscious of how sustainable their device packaging is. It can appear tone deaf for a device that’s made from energy efficient and recycled materials to turn up packaged in harmful plastics. By purchasing a HP product, you can rest assured that your device is sustainable beyond the device itself. Their forest positive pillar counteracts deforestation for the paper used in their products and packaging and is spearheaded by the HP Sustainable Forests Collaborative.
The Collaborative aims to responsibly source HP branded paper and packaging, as well as restore, protect and responsibly manage the forests that are supplying that paper. In 2021, the forest positive program responsibly managed 14,270 hectares of forest and fully restored 150 hectares. Although your device’s packaging will hopefully end up in a recycling bin not long after you receive it, it’s still important to consider every aspect of a product’s environmental impact if you are serious about enacting change.
Clearly there are many factors, such as suitability and price, that must be considered when updating a device fleet. We recommend including a sustainability score as an additional factor. There are, quite simply, enough devices that score highly to have a wide pick, meeting cost and usage requirements at the same time.
In addition, scrutinise the sustainability statement of potential IT partners, and ask questions to clarify whether they share the same environmental values as your organisation. This is now something we do ourselves when we consider which partner vendors to work with, and HP proves time and again that they are committed to working towards a truly carbon neutral future.
The chance to act is right in front of you. Old electronic models of ‘take, make and waste’ are simply no longer viable and we must be prepared to make the shift to a more climate conscious economy. Companies like HP are making that shift easier than ever and there has never been a better time to evaluate how your device fleets are operating. HP’s goal of being the world’s most sustainable tech company may seem ambitious, but the real progress they’ve made towards their climate targets speaks for itself.
HP is taking action today. What can you and your business do?
Throughout Data#3’s long history, we have made many decisions that support our community and environment. Our vision is to harness the power of people and technology for a better future. We commit to a sustainable environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework that supports our business, people and stakeholders. The foundation of our program consists of four pillars: people, community, ethics, and environment.
Every day, and every year, it is our aim to improve on every one of our four pillars. To bring you on this journey with us, we’ve created a full report that details our successes and endeavours in each of these four pillars.
In November 2022, Data#3 was named as the recipient of the 2022 Enlightened Growth Leadership Award by the Frost & Sullivan Institute, an award that recognises organisations that are committed to making the world a better place and that are part of the solution to challenges the world faces today.
As HP’s largest Power Services Partner in Australia, we work with customers across all stages of the technology lifecycle – from device management and integration services, to disposal recycling and timely account management services – ensuring the right solution is implemented to achieve your goals.