Sustainability

Most commercial print businesses are taking action on sustainability: Over three quarters have now achieved environmental accreditations.¹  While this represents significant progress, more can be done.
 
To better understand what commercial print businesses should consider as they up the ante on their sustainability efforts, we spoke to Noëlle Peutat and Olivia Kelleher, HP’s Large Format leaders. The conversation covered different topics including accreditation and waste management to reputation and how to gain a competitive edge.
 
“Sustainability isn’t only about reducing waste and being more efficient,” begins Noëlle. “It’s also about taking care of people, employees, and avoiding contact with potentially harmful substances.” It’s this panoptic definition of sustainability that underpins Noëlle’s view that, for those print businesses looking to accelerate sustainability, their actions need to be holistic and comprehensive: “Sustainability needs to cover the choice of hardware, ink, media, and suppliers. It must consider equipment end-of-life, operational efficiency, and workplace safety, too. And these things must be thought of simultaneously.”
 
For a commercial print business to establish a reputation as sustainable, all these elements must be considered. But it also takes proof, which is why independently validated environmental certification is so important. “All around the globe, there is regulation,” says Olivia. “Customers expect transparency.” So, putting words into action is crucial—and HP is. They’re the only large-format printers in the signage market to be EPEAT-registered and to use UL ECOLOGO®² certified inks. They were also the first to use UL GREENGUARD Gold³ certified inks. What does this mean for businesses set on making sustainability a priority? Olivia is forthright in her reply: “The fastest way to drive sustainability in your business is to buy from a supplier that has already done it.”
 
Waste reduction is another important aim for print business’ sustainability; especially lowering the impact of plastics. Recycled media, recycling programs, and embracing the circular economy—for example, by recycling toner and ink cartridges through the HP Planet Partners program—all offer solutions. Noëlle explains how the design of HP printers helps reduce waste: "HP printers and supplies contain recycled plastics designed with post-consumer electronics, soda bottles, UL-validated ocean-bound plastics, coat hangers, and empty Original HP Ink Cartridges. And we’re committed to cutting down single-use plastics by 75% by 2025."⁴
 
HP is on a mission to become the most sustainable and just IT company by 2030.⁵ It’s already made significant progress, with myriad industry-leading certifications under its belt. “HP has been on this journey for 80+ years,” concludes Olivia. “We are not focusing only on one thing, but rather looking at end-to-end sustainability, listening to our customers challenges, and providing them with the new solutions they need.”
 
For print businesses to thrive, they must commit to, invest in, and provide evidence of sustainability efforts—this is how they’ll play a role in protecting the environment. HP’s PrintOS Learn allows print operators to learn at their own pace, anytime, anywhere. And with the HP Ecosolutions Trained Printing Company program, you can learn more about the sustainable design and features of your HP Latex printer.