Debbie Ledbetter

As the green procurement manager for HP's Global Procurement organization, Debbie Ledbetter works to reduce HP's environmental impact by sourcing environmentally responsible products for HP's operations, business travel, and printing. As an example, she's played a central role in our program to make printing and paper use more efficient across HP.

Debbie also serves as the global lead for the HP Sustainability Network, a volunteer group of more than 10,000 HP employees who are committed to making the world a better place. Her role is to work with employees around the world, implementing and sharing practices that help HP reduce its environmental impact. Each of the 30 chapters tailors its programs to the concerns of local employees. Projects have included bike-to-work events, on-site gardens, and water conservation initiatives.

Debbie is especially proud of the network's effort started in 2008 to reduce the use of polystyrene cups at HP employee coffee stations. By collaborating with HP's Global Real Estate organization, site councils, and SODEXO, HP's cafeteria vendor, the HP Sustainability Network dramatically reduced the number of foam cups used at 10 of HP's biggest campuses in the United States.

"Prior to our campaign, approximately 10 million cups were used yearly in the United States. Over three million cups per year were reduced at the 10 sites," Debbie says. "And unfortunately, all of those cups went directly to landfill. Today, polystyrene cups are used only by visitors."

Debbie noted that successful initiatives quickly spread from one HP site to another, in part because of the HP Sustainability Network. "When people hear the words 'environmental sustainability,' they often think of large, company-driven initiatives," says Debbie. "But the truth is that each of us can make subtle changes that collectively have a big impact. The employees who participate in our Sustainability Network are passionate about making a difference at work and in the communities in which they live."