Waste and recycling

HP subscribes to the philosophy of reduce, reuse, recycle.

In 2010, we generated approximately 87,500 tonnes of total waste, of which 91.2% was nonhazardous and 8.8% was hazardous.¹ We diverted 84.3% of nonhazardous waste from landfill.

When disposal is necessary, HP confirms that waste is managed in an environmentally responsible manner, for example by auditing vendors that dispose of our hazardous waste.

Nonhazardous waste 

Our nonhazardous waste consists primarily of paper, pallets, used electronic equipment (e-waste), metals, and packaging.

In 2010, HP generated approximately 79,800 tonnes of nonhazardous waste, a 32% decrease compared with the previous year.

Over 48% of nonhazardous waste generated in 2010 was made up of paper and pallets. We are committed to reducing the amount of paper we use and dispose of to help decrease our environmental impact and save money. Read about our efforts to reduce paper use and source paper from sustainable sources, and how we are decreasing our use of pallets for product transport.

Nonhazardous waste, 2006–2010 [tonnes]

• (Hover over segments for detail by region)

Global nonhazardous waste composition, 2010 [% of total]*
	Recycled     Paper 30.3%   Pallets 14.2%   E-waste 6.4%   Packaging materials 3.1%   Metals 2.0%   Other 13.7% Landfill 15.7% Incineration 7.8% Reused     Pallets 3.5%   Packaging materials 0.2%   Other 3.2%

• * Total is greater than 100% due to rounding.

Recycling programs   

HP’s worldwide recycling programs play an integral role in our efforts to increase our landfill diversion rate.

All HP employees can recycle paper, plastics, and batteries at convenient recycling points within our buildings. We recycle glass, plastic, and aluminum containers disposed of in our dining rooms and conference facilities. We also reuse and recycle our own electronic equipment and that of our customers.

We reclaim used carpet tiles from our offices and recycle them in partnership with InterfaceFLOR and local recycling companies. For example, as part of a building upgrade project, our site in Plano, Texas, engaged a local firm to process nearly 39 tonnes of carpet in 2010.

In 2010, we recycled, reused, or incinerated for energy 67,300 tonnes of waste, achieving a nonhazardous landfill diversion rate of 84.3%. This is a decrease from 88.8% last year, and means that we fell short of our 87% target for 2010. We believe this difference is predominantly the result of ongoing improvements in the quality and reliability of waste data from acquired facilities, though as newly acquired sites become integrated into HP, we expect their solid waste management practices will increasingly align with HP’s over time. Additionally, we now have a single facility management supplier and anticipate that this will also increase our waste diversion rate during the coming years.

In the United States alone, in 2010 we saved over $8 million by reusing items, avoiding landfill fees, and selling recyclable commodities such as paper, beverage containers, scrap metal, excess foam packaging, and cardboard.

Hazardous waste

HP generated approximately 7,700 tonnes of hazardous waste in 2010, a 13% increase compared with 2009. This is due to a combination of increased manufacturing of inks and an increase in battery waste from data centers.

Hazardous waste, 2006–2010 [tonnes]

• (Hover over segments for detail by region)

Global hazardous waste composition, 2010 [% of total]*
	Incineration 36.9% Recycled     Batteries 21.0%   Back to HP 3.1%   Tubes and ballasts 0.5%   Other 3.6% Treated 25.6% Fuel blending 7.3% Landfill 2.1%

• * Total is greater than 100% due to rounding.

1. ¹ Hazardous waste classification varies by country. For our ease of calculation, HP data includes some waste not considered hazardous in the country where it is generated.