HP and Walmart go green by removing notebook packaging
September 5, 2008 – 5:36 amLeading American retail chain Walmart has this week named Hewlett-Packard (HP) as the winner of its ‘Home Entertainment Design Challenge,’ after the consumer electronics giant created a environmentally-friendly packaging solution for its computer hardware line.
Specifically, the HP Pavilion dv6929 notebook comes complete with an innovative design that reduces wasteful product packaging by a massive 97 percent. While obviously saving physical resources related to the product itself, the lack of packaging also leads to fuel conservation and a reduction in CO2 emissions as its removes the equivalent of one out of every four trucks needed for delivery.
HP engineered the eco-win by utilising its ‘Design for the Environment strategy’ by replacing conventional protective shipping materials and boxes with the specially-created ‘HP Protect Messenger Bag,’ which is described as a “stylish and protective accessory” consisting of fabric made from 100 percent recycled materials.
The rather slick Protect Messenger Bag and Pavilion dv6029 combo.
Said to provide advantages in terms of both product protection and space saving during delivery, the Protect Messenger Bag will now be made available to any customer purchasing a Pavilion dv6929 from some 1,700 Walmart stores and 594 Sam’s Club locations across the United States.
By leaving the store with their new notebook safely secured within the Protect Messenger Bag, customers will subsequently sidestep the inconvenient and eco-unfriendly process of disposing of the cardboard, Styrofoam and plastic that is usually associated with electronic computer hardware.
“Caring for the environment is a personal choice that is becoming increasingly important for our customers,” said Steven DeWitt, senior vice president of HP’s Personal Systems Group.
“We are honored that Walmart has not only recognized HP’s efforts to ensure that technology and environment enthusiasts have more sustainable choices available to them, but to also join them to help reduce our combined environmental impact from product development through delivery to the consumer,” he added.
The Walmart Home Entertainment Design Challenge was open to all consumer electronics suppliers and assessed their entries on three contributing factors: design that attracts consumers; eco-friendly product innovation; and packaging that addresses recycling, waste reduction, and the reduction or elimination of toxic materials.
Source:thetechherald.com
