In a move that could further limit the availability of valuable empty cartridges to remanufacturers, Hewlett-Packard has upped its efforts to collect empty inkjet cartridges from HP printer users by expanding its Planet Partners return and recycling program. Starting this month, the company is making it “easier” for customers in the United States to recycle HP inkjet print cartridges by including postage-paid recycling envelopes in its new 56 and 57 inkjet print cartridge boxes.
According to the company, the new expanded service will allow businesses and consumers to help “protect the environment” by mailing their empty inkjet cartridges directly to HP's recycling operations where the cartridges will be processed into recycled raw materials for use in new consumer products. Customers can also go online to order postage-paid shipping materials for bulk and individual returns of HP inkjet and LaserJet cartridges at HP’s Web site. While protecting the environment, HP’s expanded service doesn’t offer printer users a financial incentive to return their valuable empties directly back to the company.
"Environmental protection is a complex undertaking, but the laws of nature are simple. We will provide leadership on the journey to an environmentally sustainable future, with environmentally sound products and creative recycling systems," said Pradeep Jotwani, senior vice president of supplies, in a statement.
The new service expands existing return options for HP customers, including in-box, postage-paid return labels for most HP LaserJet cartridges. HP said it is trying to “close the loop” on a product’s lifecycle by qualifying recycled HP inkjet print cartridge plastics for use in HP's own materials. In a pilot project, the company has developed an HP Scanjet scanner component made from 25 percent recycled inkjet cartridge plastic and 75 percent recycled plastic bottles.
HP's Planet Partners program is available in more than 30 countries in Asia, Europe and North America. Since Planet Partners started in 1991, HP has recycled more than 64 million inkjet and LaserJet cartridges, according to the company.
For more information on HP's Planet Partners program, visit www.hp.com.
