- Design to reduce packaging material use while protecting products.
- Eliminate the use of restricted materials such as lead, chromium, mercury and cadmium in packaging.
- Eliminate the use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) in packaging materials. Design packaging components for ease of disassembly by the end-user.
- Maximize the use of post-consumer recycled content in packaging materials.
- Use readily recyclable packaging materials such as pulp, paper and corrugated materials.
- Reduce packaging size and weight to improve transportation fuel efficiency.
|
Assessing packaging environmental performance is complex, and it involves trade-offs. For example, expanded polystyrene is easily recycled in many regions, but in some cases its use increases package size compared to use of other, less readily recyclable, materials. Its use also increases box material and reduces units per pallet. To weigh these factors, we base packaging decisions on the best available evidence regarding overall impact.
The cost of alternatives can also impact substitution. In North America, boxes with 35% minimum post-consumer recycled content cost up to 10% to 15% more than boxes with virgin content. In addition, to match virgin fiber performance, the box weight needs to increase, which may raise transportation costs. In such cases, we consider total costs, including transport and disposal, as opposed to material cost only.
Eliminating materials of concern from our product packaging is a special focus. We stopped using PVC in new packaging designs for HP product models in 2006, and we will eliminate it entirely during 2007 as we deplete inventory that is already produced. We are developing replacement polyethylene terephthalate (PET) materials with 100% post-consumer recycled content where that material is available. We are also moving from polystyrene foam to molded pulp (made from recycled paper) when feasible; in fact, we transitioned all camera products to paper-based alternatives in 2006. In some instances, we have begun using biopolymer biodegradable materials made from crops such as sugar beet and corn.
Improved packaging can also bring benefits in product transportation. For example, we reduced the weight of our standalone camera packaging from 396g/unit in 2003 to 164g/unit in 2006. The smaller size allowed us to increase the number of units per pallet from 200 to 720, which translated into less energy required to ship each item (see Logistics for more information).
Additionally, by redesigning box and cushion requirements for two commercial desktop platforms, as well as qualifying alternate cushion materials, we reduced average packaging weight by up to two pounds per unit and increased pallet density.
| We participate in packaging industry forums such as the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP). We worked with the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara, to establish an industry-wide environmental packaging certification program, which IoPP adopted as the basis for a worldwide certification exam. Our target is for all HP product packaging design team members to complete this certification or the internal HP program. Starting in 2007, we will require IoPP certification for major packaging suppliers and makers of HP-branded products. |
In 2005, HP developed the ROSe (Robust Orientation Size effect) calculator to help engineers develop packaging designs that minimize the amount and cost of materials used. ROSe also optimizes packaging for more efficient loading on pallets and trucks, based on product size, weight, the required protection level and the arrangement of the pack contents. For example, we reduced the quantity of packaging materials by 20% per unit for one category of PCs shipped from China, while increasing the number of PCs per pallet from 28 units to 40 units. The energy required to ship each unit fell by 40%.
In 2006, we updated HP's product packaging data collection system to track packaging material use by product line. We will establish baseline data for the first half of calendar 2007, and we will set material reduction goals later in the year.
The table below shows the average weight of packaging per product, by type of packaging material. The data show a significant decrease from 2005 to 2006. |
Packaging per product sold globally, 2005-2006 |
|
Versione stampabile