HP Doubles Recycling Efforts

To further encourage the recycling of unwanted computers and printers, Palo Alto, Calif.-based Hewlett Packard Development Co. LP during April of this year doubled the value of its return and recycling e-coupon for U.S. consumers. People with used or outdated PCs, laptops and monitors got up to $100 toward the purchase of a new HP product when they signed up for HP's recycling service online. Depending upon the type of product involved, recycling cost consumers between $17 and $46, with HP arranging for pickup from their homes. The e-coupon recycling program is actually a year-round incentive, but this year and last HP doubled the value of its e-coupons during April as a way of celebrating Earth Day. Roseville, Calif.-based Chris Altobell, HP's marketing manager for product recycling, says the company doesn't disclose the numbers of people taking advantage of the double e-coupon offer, but he does say that this April and last there were three times as many people registering for the e-coupon recycling program as during a regular month. HP touts its e-coupon and double e-coupon programs as a "simple and easy" way for consumers to get rid of old computer hardware and replace it with new. "By tying the consumer directly to the recycling program, the e-coupon programs promote customer loyalty and repeat business," says HP. HP has been recycling computers at its own facilities since the late-1980s and began consumer hardware recycling in 1997. Each month, says the company, it recycles more than 6 million pounds of computer equipment globally, including products from other manufacturers. The products HP collects are evaluated for reuse, donation or recycling. The company has two U.S. recycling facilities, one in Roseville, Calif., northeast of Sacramento, and the other at LaVergne, Tenn., southeast of Nashville.