Nowadays, companies are always looking to be socially conscious and more aware of their own carbon footprint. As such, major companies are looking to new technology to help keep their pledge to do no harm. In keeping with this tend, HP recently stated that they plan to use new advancements like 3D printing and their PageWide tech to help their operations achieve sustainability goals.
The statement came from HP’s UK Managing Director, George Brasher. He was speaking at the company’s annual Sustainability Summit in London on the 28th. The main crux of his argument was that warehousing, storage and delivery all have an impact on the environment. 3D printing helps eliminate these elements by fundamentally altering the supply chain. Ideas like in-house production and short run printing can aid in meeting goals for greener production.
Kirstie McIntyre, HP’s director for global sustainability operations, stated that the increase in production along with the increased use of air freights have contributed to the reexamination of their sustainability goals. Brasher stated that they will be measuring their progress in every quarter.
Additive Manufacturing Solutions for Sustainability
HP also laid out its plans in a 137-page impact report. The company’s product recycling goal is to recycle 1.2 million tonnes of hardware and supplies by 2025. Currently, they’ve recycled 271,400 tonnes throughout 2017 since the beginning of 2016. The company states “More than 80% of our ink cartridges and 100% of HP LaserJet toner cartridges are now manufactured with ‘closed loop’ recycled plastic.” Greenpeace has ranked HP with a C+. While this may not seem like a good score, it places them at 4th best in comparison to their 17 tech company competitors.
3D printing brings a lot of concepts to the table that are making companies greener and more sustainable. Aside from supply chains, it also brings in recyclable plastic production. Environmentalists have noted the potentials of 3D printing, applying it to the recovery of coral reefs. Another application that looks promising is the production of efficient solar power cells. None of these programs alone can dent environmental damage, but still, in combination they provide a compelling way forward.
Featured image courtesy of HP
