Technological watch
HP invests $2 million in plastics washing line in Haiti
For HP Inc. (Palo Alto, CA), sustainability extends all the way from ocean-bound plastics in the Caribbean to the office printer. The company announced on April 18 that it is making a $2 million investment in a plastic washing line in Haiti that not only will expand its supply chain dedicated to diverting ocean-bound plastics but will create more than 1,000 new income opportunities locally.
The new washing line will allow the local production of cleaner, high-quality recycled plastic for use in HP products. It will help Haiti expand its recycling capabilities and compete more effectively on the international plastics market.
Suppliers Lavergne and ECSSA have partnered with HP on the project since efforts began in 2016. This investment continues HP’s longstanding commitment to diverting ocean-bound plastic and contributing to a lower-carbon, circular economy while providing jobs and education opportunities locally, said HP.
HP began its efforts in Haiti in 2016, when the company partnered with the First Mile Coalition to reduce ocean-bound plastics by converting plastic bottles into recycled material used in Original HP ink cartridges. These efforts have already diverted approximately 716,000 pounds of plastic materials, or more than 25 million bottles, from reaching waterways and repurposed the material into HP cartridges.
Globally, HP has converted more than 199 million pounds of recycled plastic into 3.9 billion HP Original ink and toner cartridges since 2000.
HP’s ocean-bound plastic programs also create new opportunities for economic advancement and education in local communities. In Haiti, HP’s partnership with Thread International and Work has helped create more than 795 income opportunities (calculated as wages for center owners, center employees and collectors for one month) for adults in the country and opened two new learning centers equipped with HP ProBook x360 Education Edition laptops and HP printers. The collaboration has provided 100 children with a quality education, food and medical assistance.
In October 2018, HP joined ocean-bound plastics leader NextWave Plastics, which is dedicated to integrating ocean-bound plastics into its product supply chains. The coalition has set a goal to divert a minimum of 25,000 tonnes of plastics, the equivalent of 1.2 billion single-use plastic water bottles, from entering the ocean by the end of the year 2025.
HP also unveiled a new study underscoring the importance of sustainable business practices in recruiting, hiring and retaining top talent. The global survey, which attracted 20,000 participants, found that 61% believe sustainability is mandatory for businesses. Of those interviewed, 56% believe that ignoring environmental impacts in the workplace is as bad as ignoring diversity and inclusion.
“The study released today proves what HP has suspected for many years—businesses, and their workforce, are demanding higher levels of sustainability and quality from their suppliers,” said Dave McQuarrie, Global Head of Print Business Management, HP Imaging and Printing. “HP has been committed to sustainable impact for decades. By reducing reliance on single-use plastics and delivering more sustainable supplies, we are fulfilling a critical part of our reinvention journey and commitment to the environment.”
Image courtesy Marina_Larina/Adobe Stock.
The new washing line will allow the local production of cleaner, high-quality recycled plastic for use in HP products. It will help Haiti expand its recycling capabilities and compete more effectively on the international plastics market.
Suppliers Lavergne and ECSSA have partnered with HP on the project since efforts began in 2016. This investment continues HP’s longstanding commitment to diverting ocean-bound plastic and contributing to a lower-carbon, circular economy while providing jobs and education opportunities locally, said HP.
HP began its efforts in Haiti in 2016, when the company partnered with the First Mile Coalition to reduce ocean-bound plastics by converting plastic bottles into recycled material used in Original HP ink cartridges. These efforts have already diverted approximately 716,000 pounds of plastic materials, or more than 25 million bottles, from reaching waterways and repurposed the material into HP cartridges.
Globally, HP has converted more than 199 million pounds of recycled plastic into 3.9 billion HP Original ink and toner cartridges since 2000.
HP’s ocean-bound plastic programs also create new opportunities for economic advancement and education in local communities. In Haiti, HP’s partnership with Thread International and Work has helped create more than 795 income opportunities (calculated as wages for center owners, center employees and collectors for one month) for adults in the country and opened two new learning centers equipped with HP ProBook x360 Education Edition laptops and HP printers. The collaboration has provided 100 children with a quality education, food and medical assistance.
In October 2018, HP joined ocean-bound plastics leader NextWave Plastics, which is dedicated to integrating ocean-bound plastics into its product supply chains. The coalition has set a goal to divert a minimum of 25,000 tonnes of plastics, the equivalent of 1.2 billion single-use plastic water bottles, from entering the ocean by the end of the year 2025.
HP also unveiled a new study underscoring the importance of sustainable business practices in recruiting, hiring and retaining top talent. The global survey, which attracted 20,000 participants, found that 61% believe sustainability is mandatory for businesses. Of those interviewed, 56% believe that ignoring environmental impacts in the workplace is as bad as ignoring diversity and inclusion.
“The study released today proves what HP has suspected for many years—businesses, and their workforce, are demanding higher levels of sustainability and quality from their suppliers,” said Dave McQuarrie, Global Head of Print Business Management, HP Imaging and Printing. “HP has been committed to sustainable impact for decades. By reducing reliance on single-use plastics and delivering more sustainable supplies, we are fulfilling a critical part of our reinvention journey and commitment to the environment.”
Image courtesy Marina_Larina/Adobe Stock.
This project has been co-funded with the support of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Union [LIFE17 ENV/ES/000438] Life programme
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