Case Study: Hewlett Packard’s Supplier Requirements

Hewlett Packard (HP), a major manufacturer of telecommunication and computer equipment demands that their suppliers adopt policies and systems that allow for continuous environmental improvement. Environmental improvement policies include cleaner manufacturing processes, information and labeling, recycling and reuse, power consumption reduction, packaging, and safe disposal. HP seeks to obtain safer plastic resins from suppliers through the procurement guidelines stated below. Each potential supplier is rated through a scoring system. HP buys from the supplier who has the best score. Some of the questions HP demands from its plastic suppliers include:

Recycling

• Is there a program to take back postconsumer plastics from HP for formulation of recycled resin?
• Can the supplier offer a minimum 25% recycled-content plastic resin?
• Can the supplier offer recycled plastic resin at parity or lower prices compared to similar virgin upgrades?

Environmental Awareness

• Is the supplier aware of and in compliance with country-specific requirements (such as Sweden’s bans on some polybrominated flame retardants)?
• Can the supplier inform HP about the potential bans on plastic additives and offer alternative solutions?

Waste Reduction

• Does the supplier have a program to help HP reduce the amount of materials used in all applications?
• Does the supplier have processes to reduce and responsibly dispose of production-related and nonrecyclable wastes?
• Does the supplier minimize, reuse or recycle packaging materials?

Clean Production Action will be evaluating how these supplier guidelines have influenced the materials HP uses in its products.

For more information about HP: www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizenship/environment/

[CLOSE WINDOW]