HP shrinks packages, emissions

Manufacturing News, Source : The Manufacturer US
Published : 05 Mar 2007 21:40

Packaging: HP’s redesigned packaging reduces CO2 while increasing retail shelf space

HP has announced that its redesigned print cartridge packaging for North America will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 37 million pounds in 2007—the equivalent of taking 3,600 cars off the road for one year.

The emissions savings are the result of smaller, lighter packages that reduce both the total carbon footprint of each cartridge and the truck and freighter transportation traffic required to ship them. Newer packaging also contains more recyclable and recycled content.

“What I see here is smart design,” said Greg Norris, Ph.D., environmental lifecycle assessment instructor at Harvard University and creator of the Earthster project, an open-source software platform designed to make opportunities for sustainable production and purchasing globally accessible.

HP estimates its redesigned print cartridge packaging will eliminate the use of nearly

15 million pounds of paper materials and 6.8 million pounds of PVC plastic in 2007. New HP LaserJet toner cartridge packaging uses 45 percent less packaging material by weight, and a standard shipping pallet now holds 203 cartridges instead of 144.

Overall, the more efficient packaging is expected to reduce truck traffic in North America by 1.5 million miles in 2007.

For retailers, the new packaging should save significant transportation and storage costs while freeing up display space: the front-facing surface area for multipacks has been reduced by 80 percent; new inkjet tripacks can be stacked three-high versus two on shelves; and LaserJet toner cartridge packaging reduces shelf space more tha 30 percent.

“Environmental considerations are key to Office Depot’s business,” said Yalmaz Siddiqui, environmental strategy advisor for Office Depot. “We are pleased to see a manufacturer like HP make changes that are in step with our environmental objectives and can also benefit our business goals.”

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