Product Return and Recycling

Addressing electronic waste is one of HP's Global Citizenship priorities. HP has a long history of recycling, first program were established in 1987. Today, recycling services are available in more than 40 countries, regions and territories. HP's world -wide goal is to recycle a billion pounds (450,000 tonnes) by 2007. This world-wide commitment is reflected also in the local Australian programs. HP has been offering products recycling programs for commericla customers since 2003 and more rencetly has been expanding the service to cover consumer programs also. In the financial year 2006 HP Australia recycling initiatives diverted 1,750 tonnes of computing hardware from landfill for reuse, refurbishment and recycling in HP financial year 2005.

In Victoria HP is partnering with state and local government to offer the consumers the means of returning their unwanted IT equipment for recycling. Program called Byteback provides residents and small business owners in Victoria dispose of their unwanted, old and unused computers in a safe and environmentally responsible way.

"Hewlett-Packard has stepped forward as a leader in the computer industry and shown other manufacturers of computer equipment that they can take action to provide cost effective avenues for responsible disposal for the benefit of the public and the environment." Victoria Minister for Environment John Thwaites

After collection equipment is transported to a specialised electronic recycling and recovery centre. Equipment is disassembled into its parts (plastic, precious metals, batteries, cathode ray tubes, printed circuit boards, insulated wiring) and sent off to further processing. For further information about Byteback contact Sustainability Victoria InfoLine (Victoria only) on 1800-353-233 or see http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/www/html/2045-byteback.asp.